European Commission (EC) announced on Thursday that EC President Jose Manuel Barroso has invited Serbia to resume talks on the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) on 13 June 2007.

"I welcome the progress Serbia has made since the establishment of the new government in its cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)," Barroso was quoted by an EC press release.

"Achieving full cooperation with the ICTY is not only an international obligation, but also a key condition on Serbia's road towards the European Union (EU)," he added.

The EC chief said he encouraged Serbia to continue improving its cooperation with the Tribunal in The Hague.

Earlier on June 1, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn confirmed that following an extensive and careful assessment, the EC can resume negotiations on a Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia.

"Next Wednesday we will hold the next round of talks on this important agreement, which will bring concrete trade and economic benefits for Serbia. Implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement will be Serbia's gateway to candidacy for EU accession," Rehn said.

Last week former Bosnian Serb general Zdravko Tolimir, who is facing genocide charges, was transferred to the ICTY after being arrested in eastern Bosnia bordering Serbia. The move was considered by the EU as Serbia's full cooperation with ICTY.

The European Union suspended the SAA talks with Serbia last year, after Belgrade failed to meet two deadlines for the extradition of fugitive war crimes suspects.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2007)