It is important that Serbia's efforts lead to full cooperation, without delay, and this should lead to the arrest and extradition of Ratko Mladic, Belgrade's electronic media quoted Rehn as saying before the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs.
He said Serbia had concrete and tangible European prospects but must make sure that its future was not hostage to certain obstacles.
On February 27, Rehn is due to inform the EU foreign ministers about Serbia's level of cooperation with the Hague tribunal and the continuation of negotiations on stabilisation and association. Yesterday was the first time he indirectly mentioned the deadline by which Mladic, the Bosnian Serb wartime military commander wanted by the UN court, must be extradited if negotiations are not to be interrupted.
If Serbia does not cooperate without delay, this will lead to a break-up in negotiations, Beta news agency quoted the enlargement commissioner as saying yesterday. The next round of political negotiations is scheduled for April, which means they will face EU measures in case there is no full cooperation, Rehn said, adding that it was up to Serbia to decide between a European future and a nationalist past.
Authorities in Belgrade have denied reports by numerous domestic and foreign media that Mladic was located this week and his arrest was being negotiated.