Serbia has officially applied for EU membership. President Boris Tadic submitted his application in Stockholm to Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden, the current holder of the EU presidency.

Serbia decided to apply for EU membership last week. Recently, relations between Serbia and the EU have greatly improved. The EU unblocked an interim trade deal with Serbia and lifted visa requirements for the EU.

Of the countries of the former Yugoslavia, only Slovenia belongs to the EU. Croatia, Macedonia and Montenegro have also applied for EU membership. The EU will not yet commence negotiations with Serbia. The country will first have to convince the EU that it is seriously engaged in tracking down war crimes suspect General Ratko Mladic.

Photo: Serbian president Boris Tadic (Wikipedia)