The SAA document was ratified with 621 votes in favor and 38 votes against.
The resolution, compiled on the basis of a report made by the European Parliament's special rapporteur for Serbia, Jelko Kacin, reads that the SAA ratification sends a strong signal of support to Serbia's European Union aspirations.
Serbia signed the SAA in 2008. The ratification process, however, was delayed due to reports about Serbia's insufficient cooperation with the Hague-based UN war crimes tribunal (ICTY). The process started in June 2010 and so far 11 EU members have ratified the document.
The resolution calls on Serbia to launch dialogue with Kosovo and dissolve parallel structures of authority that impede full inclusion of the Serb community into Kosovo institutions. Serbia is also advised to cease issuing licence plates with Kosovo city codes as this is viewed as the overt violation of Kosovo's sovereignty.
MEPs hold that full cooperation with the ICTY which includes arresting the remaining war crimes fugitives -- Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic -- is a key condition for Serbia's progress on its EU path.
The parliament welcomes Serbia's good cooperation with its neighbours as well as headway in its fight against corruption which the parliament deems to be still widespread in that Balkan country.