The Serb parliament is expected to adopt a resolution rejecting EU membership if Kosovo declares independence. The move has the backing of President Boris Tadic and Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica who lead the two main parties in Serbia’s governing coalition. The resolution is also likely to win support from hardline nationalists of the opposition Radical Party.

The EU is offering Serbia a fast track to membership once Kosovo’s status is settled. But Belgrade has made it clear it will not sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, the first step towards joining the bloc.

Belgrade is offering Kosovo’s 90 percent Albanian majority broad autonomy within Serbia. But the Albanians plan to declare independence is the first months of 2008 and they have broad Western support.

The EU is now preparing to take over the UN’s supervisory role, with a police and judicial mission. But if the resolution is adopted, it states that parliament will declare military neutrality until a possible referendum when the final decision would be made.

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