The European Union was on Tuesday to sign an agreement strengthening its ties with Serbia, a spokesman of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU has said, quoted by international media. The Union reached an consensus on inviting Serbia to sign the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia after Netherlands and Belgium are said to have dropped their opposition in this regard.

The two countries opposed the deal because of Serbia's lack of progress in capturing war crime suspects.

The SAA signing ceremony was to be attended by Serbian President Boris Tadic and Belgrade government officials.