The Serbian government is organizing from 8 to 10 September the first Serbia - European Union Forum, which will be attended by more than 400 of participants from several European countries, it has been announced.

The forum will be organized on the model of one held in the Swiss town of Davos, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic said Tuesday.

Serbia's goal is to initiate an event that will become a traditional gathering place for all who are interested in European future of Serbia and the region, Djelic said.

The forum will opened by Serbian President Boris Tadic and President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy. Four panels are planned - a regional one with ministers from Balkan countries, as well as Turkey and Iceland as countries that are on the road towards the EU, one for economic and social issues, one for environment and one for security and fight against corruption.

Several ministers from the region, leading business people, NGO and media representatives are expected to attend.

Serbia will use the forum to present itself in a positive way, to depict the great progress it made this year in order to achieve its next goal, which is to get the EU candidate status and determine the date for the beginning of negotiation for accession to the EU, Djelic said.