President Boris Tadic

BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia has charged four former Serb fighters with war crimes during the 1991-1995 war in Croatia, in a sign of possible renewed government resolve to deal with its wartime past as it aims for EU membership. Prosecuting atrocities committed by Serbs during a series of bloody conflicts in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo in 1990s is crucial for Belgrade's efforts to speed up its bid to join the European Union. "Four men were taken for questioning over at least six killings, torture and harassment of civilians during the 1991 conflict in Croatia," Bruno Vekaric, a spokesman for Serbia's office of the war ... Read Full Story

Serbia on Tuesday officially submitted an application to join the European Union, a move which the EU presidency called a historic new start for the Balkan nation. Serb President Boris Tadic handed over the application to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in Stockholm, declaring that the Serbia of the 1990s which became a pariah state under late strongman Slobodan Milosevic is a thing of the past. Reinfeldt, who country holds the rotating presidency of the 27-nation club, welcomed what he called "this very historic step." "It marks a new beginning for Serbia, it reflects the strong determination of its government and it has widespread ... Read Full Story

Serbia on Tuesday officially submitted its European Union membership application to the Swedish EU presidency in Stockholm. Serb President Boris Tadic handed over the application to Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt in a brief ceremony at the prime minister's office. The two were to hold a press conference shortly afterwards. The largest republic of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia, still scarred by the wars of the 1990s, faces a long and bumpy road ahead to join the club. The entry date is expected some time between 2014 and 2018. Support for Belgrade's bid is mixed at best, according to a European diplomat, with backing from ... Read Full Story

Serbia took a step towards European integration Monday as it prepared to apply for EU membership, but authorities are braced for a painful journey a decade after the fall of Slobodan Milosevic. Serbian President Boris Tadic will Tuesday officially submit the country's application for membership of the 27-nation bloc in Sweden, which currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency. "President Boris Tadic will go to Stockholm on Tuesday to submit the application for EU membership," presidency spokeswoman Jasmina Stojanov told AFP. But the largest republic of the former Yugoslavia faces a tough fight to join the club, with its entry date expected some time ... Read Full Story

Serbian President Boris Tadic, whose victory last year in a tight runoff election was seen as crucial to the country's further integration with Europe, submitted the application on a trip to Sweden, the country that currently holds the E.U. presidency. "This is indeed a great day for Serbia. This day represents a crossroads," Tadic said. "Today we are entering a stage which is very difficult, which demands deep and painful reforms." Swedish Prime Minster Fredrik Reinfeldt described the move as "a new beginning for Serbia," but warned, "the road to membership is long and demanding." The bid comes days after citizens of Serbia, Montenegro ... Read Full Story