Spanish ambassador to Serbia Inigo de Palacio Espana reiterated the stand of the official Madrid that all conditions had been met for Brussels to give a positive opinion on Serbia's application for the membership in the European Union, pointing out that the issue of Belgrade's cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) should not be an obstacle on the country's path to the Union.

"Spain's stand is clear and specific. We urge for Serbia to become a member of the EU soon. If its candidacy is discussed in Brussels in October, as requested by many European Union member countries, including Spain, we will be delighted and we will expect a positive result," Ambassador Espana said in an interview published by the Belgrade daily Politika.

According to Espana, Spain is confident that Serbia is doing everything in its power to capture the remaining ICTY fugitives. Espana underscored that the most important thing is to have all 27 countries hold an open and constructive discussion in October and to adopt a decision that will be best for Serbia. If we wait for ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz to submit his report, which is due in December, in order to give an opinion on Serbia's candidacy, and if we again close the doors to further European integrations, it will be very difficult to explain to the general public the reasons for that, observed Ambassador Espana.

The ambassador reiterated that his country is against unilateralism and that it is confident that international law does not allow for a unilateral secession of a part of a country's territory without that country's consent.

"That is why we urge so much an urgent opening of a dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade that would lead to an agreement acceptable to both sides," said Espana.

Ambassador Espana said that he has yet to hear any of the responsible people in Brussels or in capitals of European states that recognition of Kosovo might be set as a condition for Serbia's accession in the EU.

We believe in Madrid that it will be very difficult for Serbia to make progress in the process of European integrations if a modus vivendi is not found with Kosovo, the ambassador said.