EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said in Belgrade on Friday that it is time for Brussels to seriously focus on Serbia's EU candidacy.

There is a general feeling that this is an opportunity that should not be missed, the EU commissioner said after meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic, while the Serbian president announced that Serbia will continue and intensify dialogue with the EU because Belgrade wants to start membership talks in late 2011 or early 2012.

Fuele reiterated that the adoption of the Serbia-EU Resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice by the UN General Assembly represents a new beginning in Serbia-EU relations, and expressed expectation that the decision on Serbia's candidacy will be made soon.

Tadic stressed that the EU remains Serbia's central strategic priority but that Serbia does not want to force an accelerated EU integration, but wants to meet all requirements and carry out reforms needed to enter the EU.

Fuele explained that there are no shortcuts in this process and that Serbia will be judged solely on its results, but that his impression is that Belgrade is very serious in its intentions.

"We are well aware that one of the requirements for accession is the completion of cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and I confirmed once again that we are completely committed to wrapping up this cooperation," Tadic said, adding that he hopes that this page in Serbian history can be closed soon.

When it comes to the Kosovo issue, Tadic pointed out that "a process of talks and negotiations is ahead."

"I believe we can find a stable and sustainable solution, which means respecting the legitimate national interests of both Serbs and Albanians," Tadic said.

Fuele started his visit by meeting with Serbian Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac, and also conferred with Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic, Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic and Justice Minister Snezana Malovic.

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic said today during the talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule that the Serbian government is fully committed to the process of European integration and voiced hope that the EU Council of Ministers will soon examine Serbia’s application for EU candidacy.

Cvetkovic underlined that the Serbian government will continue working on boosting regional cooperation, fight against corruption and organised crime and cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. (ICTY).

European Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele and Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic concluded on Friday that Serbia has made significant progress in the area of EU integration.

At the meeting with Dacic, Fuele said that a considerable progress has been made in the area of internal affairs, stressing the visa liberalization and the significant role of the Serbian Interior Ministry in the process, whereas Dacic underscored Serbia's readiness to continue cooperation with the EU institutions.

The two officials pointed out that regional cooperation and fight against corruption and organized crime will be of particular importance for the EU institutions in the forthcoming period, the Serbian Interior Ministry released in a statement.

Fuele, who began his visit to Belgrade with the meeting with Dacic, commended and underscored the significance of the role that Dacic plays as interior minister and a leader of a political party.

Serbian Defence Minister Dragan Sutanovac conferred with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fuele on the reforms that have been carried out in the defence system and plans for the Serbian Army to take part in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.

Sutanovac also informed Fuele about the development of reforms in Serbia. Fuele welcomed the level of defence development that has been achieved so far in conformity with the European standards since that is one of the most important segments of Serbia' EU integration process.

He also welcomed the improvement of regional cooperation between the countries of the Western Europe, which has contributed to promotion of general security, the Serbian Defence Ministry released in a statement.