"Sad day" for Serbia as EU talks suspended

1.47.16pm GMT Mon 8th May 2006

Commenting on the news that the EU is to suspend talks with Serbia on establishing closer ties because the Serbian government has failed to deliver fugitive suspected war criminal Ratko Mladic, Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat European justice spokeswoman and member of the European Parliament Balkans delegation, said:

"This is a necessary action by the EU to signal that we are serious about human rights. But it is a sad day for the cause of Balkan integration to the EU."

"Serbia has only itself to blame for its isolation and punishment. It should be fulfilling its proper role as European leader for the region, given its status as the largest Western Balkan state with the greatest economic potential. But it is losing its vision for a European future due to its failure to deal with the past."

"The Serbian government must stop dragging their feet and put international and political aspirations over misguided nationalistic pride. If and when Mladic is handed over to the UN war crimes tribunal, Serbia can look forward to the restoration of genuine dialogue with the full support of MEPs like myself."