Serbian president says Belgrade will not give up on EU

(BELGRADE) - Serbian President Boris Tadic said on Friday his country will not give up on the European Union after an EU summit delayed a decision on its candidate status until February.

"Serbia cannot and will not give up on its European future. Any other decision would have long term consequences for the citizens of Serbia," he said in his first reaction to the decision from Brussels.

"Serbia belongs in Europe and any other solutions would have complex consequences," Tadic warned.

EU president Herman Van Rompuy said while the "clear aim" was to grant Serbia candidate status, Brussels would only decide on the case in February to allow it to further monitor Belgrade's moves to improve relations with Kosovo.

Belgrade had hoped to win the status of candidate EU nation at this week's summit and the postponement is a blow to Tadic.

However new unrest on the tense north Kosovo border late last month, in which some 50 NATO peacekeepers were hurt along with scores of civilians, led a handful of EU nations, notably Germany, to demand further progress.

Serbia is due to organise elections in spring next year and getting EU candidacy status is central to Tadic's bid to stay in power.