Serbian President Boris Tadic stated that the idea of Serbia obtaining North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) membership in the coming years is not realistic.

He reminded that Serbia became involved in a political process aimed at NATO integration in 2000, and pointed out that Serbia has come to face a new political reality after the NATO member countries recognised Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence and participated in the forming of Kosovo security forces.

Tadic pointed out that the support of Serbian citizens to the country's NATO integration has diminished. The idea of Serbia obtaining NATO membership any time soon is not a realistic one, the president said.

He reminded that Serbia is a member of the NATO Partnership for Peace programme, and that cooperation with NATO can be continued in this domain.

Serbia is closely following the initiative of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev concerning a new security system in Europe, Tadic said. He also noted that Serbia is ready to take part as a reliable partner in the peacekeeping missions worldwide.