Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic is of the opinion that Serbia should complete its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and fulfill its Action Plan before the December summit of the 27 EU member states in order to become a candidate country and continue with its accession process.

In an interview to the Belgrade-based daily Vecernje Novosti, Djelic noted that in that way, Serbia will have countered the arguments of those who would like to halt the country's EU integration process.

He reiterated that Serbia will never endorse the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija, and voiced hope that the issue will be resolved. “We cannot keep reviewing the same unreal ideas which are being proposed by both sides," Djelic said.

“Serbia cannot become an EU member state, with the Kosovo issue unresolved. At the same time, the recognition of Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence is not an option. Therefore, we should keep looking for a solution that would satisfy both sides,” Djelic said.