Serbia seeks dialogue with EU

BERLIN, May 23 (UPI) -- Tomislav Nikolic, likely a key person in the new Serbian government, says he favors dialogue over conflict with the European Union, especially regarding Kosovo.

Nikolic, deputy leader of the Serb Radical Party, said in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel in Berlin that the Kosovo situation puts Serbia at odds with the EU right off since Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo as independent and "it is clear that without this recognition we will never become an EU member."

Asked about the formation of a new government in Serbia, the SRS leader predicted the potential coalition of the SRS, the Socialists and the Democratic Party of Serbia would provide a stable environment, Tanjug reported.