According to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini it is too early to say that 2014 is the year in which Serbia will become full EU member.

In an interview with the Belgrade newspaper Vecernje Novosti, Frattini said that all depends on the negotiations with Brussels.

"It is premature to discuss 2014 now as possible date for Serbia accession to the European Union", said the Foreign Minister. Underlining that Italy is a strong supporter of Serbiàs European integration, Frattini said that the accession process requires "a certain amount of time".

Frattini added that Serbia's candidature may already be on the agenda of the next European Council of Ministers. Now the European Commission has to completely analyse Serbiàs membership application on a technical level. This will have to be done rapidly, the Italian Foreign Minister continued.

Referring to Kosovo, Frattini said that Italy intends to respect the decision of the International Court of Justice on the legitimacy of its statement of independency.

The Court is expected to read its verdict in the coming months. The Italian government will continue in its balanced approach, according to Frattini, who underlined that Italy appreciates the fact that Belgrade has decided to go to court instead of using political means in the case of Kosovo's independence.

"Of course, we will respect the decision of the International Court of Justice", Frattini concluded.