EU foreign ministers unanimously concluded in Brussels that it was necessary to send a clear and convenient signal for Serbia's progress on the path to Europe and agreed that in October it will be officially decided on the order of the European Commission to draft an opinion on the readiness of Serbia to become a candidate for the EU membership.

The decision was communicated by foreign ministers Steven Vanackere of Belgium, Miguel Angel Moratinos of Spain and Mikulas Dzurinda of Slovakia.

Moratinos said that the good message to Serbia must be infallible, because of the support Belgrade gave to a joint resolution on Kosovo at the UN.

Vanackere stressed that, in his capacity as Chairman of the EU, he will officially put on the agenda a proposal for Serbia's candidacy for membership to be forwarded to the European Commission.

Many EU countries have emphasized that the constructive attitude of Serbia cannot remain without reward, added Vanackere. Moratinos said that one member of the EU – the Netherlands - should further consult with the parliament, but said that other European partners received assurances that the country is also inclined to request the European Commission to prepare an opinion on the candidacy of Serbia.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said thanks to the common approach of Serbia and EU to the Kosovo issue, unity has been established within the EU, but also between Serbia and the EU.

Moratinos added that the fact that five EU countries have not recognized Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence guarantees and makes it easier for Serbia, in this perplexing and difficult process, to feel at peace and thereby preserve confidence in the EU.

Asked by BETA whether opening the EU's door more widely to Serbia, which on Sept. 13 was accepted in principle, along with Belgrade's feeling that it can rely on its European partners, could initiate a genuine Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Moratinos said that he was certain it could.

After the session of EU foreign ministers, Moratinos remarked that "the manner in which the resolution on Kosovo was adopted in the U.N. shows that a Belgrade-Pristina dialogue should bring about trust and move things forward."

"This is a position that was advocated by Spain, which has contributed significantly through its good ties with Serbia, feeling the vital importance of the resolution adopted in the U.N.," Moratinos stressed.

Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic on Monday stated that he expects Serbia's candidacy for the membership in the European Union (EU) to be forwarded to the European Commission next month.

He told reporters at the Hyatt Hotel that there are theoretical chances of that happening today, but that he does not expect it, because it is too early for the consultations within the EU to be completed.

"The fact is that we have the support of all of the 27 member states," said Cvetkovic, adding that the problem is that one of the EU countries has a technical government and that it is questionable whether a technical government has the capacity to make such decisions.

The prime minister expressed his optimism that this, however, will not be an obstacle since the issue is of technical nature.