The European Union urged Serbia today to make clear it saw its future with Europe and laid out incentives on visas, education and transport to try to boost the bloc's image in the Balkans.
The appeal came after the party of Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica called for a rejection of ties with the EU until the bloc withdraws its backing for an independent Kosovo, which seceded from Serbia last month.
The EU sees the long-term accession of Balkans states, among them Serbia, as key to the stability of southeastern Europe. But the row with Belgrade over Kosovo has raised concerns that Serbia could shun the EU and turn towards Russia in future.
EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn told a news conference the EU wanted to nurture ties with Belgrade if it was willing.
"Certain recent statements in Belgrade to pull back from EU integration unfortunately seem to rule this out," he said.
"We ask the Serbian government to reaffirm its commitment to closer ties with the EU ... We are ready to move on once Serbia is ready to do the same," he added, saying there was a "silent majority" of Serbs who backed eventual EU membership.
In a move aimed at consolidating what the EU sees as strong public support for EU entry in the Western Balkans, Mr Rehn made proposals for eventual phasing out of EU visa requirements, doubling scholarships to the bloc and boosting transport links.