Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos stated in Brussels on June 30 that Croatia's admission to the EU will not close the doors of membership to Serbia and other countries of the Western Balkans.

"After Croatia's admission the doors of EU membership will not be closed, but rather even wider open for Serbia and other countries of the region," Moratinos said in response to BETA's request for comment on a recent statement by President Boris Tadic, who said that EU should tell the Western Balkan states clearly whether it wants them to join or not.

Speaking at a news conference held after the opening of the last three chapters in the membership negotiations with Croatia, Moratinos reiterated that there is no suspicion or doubt regarding the European prospects of the region and Serbia.

Moratinos also said that Spain, as a member and presiding country of the EU, will continue to support practical cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina, and that the two sides should decide on when and how they can negotiate about the status issue.