EU offers Serbia 'fast-tracked' membership*

THIS IS an initiative I've advocated for years.

The EU has offered to fast-track Serbia's membership of the EU if they hand over Ratko Mladic, Radovan Karadzic, and cede sovereignty over Kosovo.

Much as I agree with the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica that the recognition of Kosovo's independence would be "the most dangerous precedent after World War II", the EU has called his bluff, offering him exceptional terms to make a deal. Although Serbian support for EU membership is declining, this is mainly down to what Serbs see as harsh conditions for joining - when Croatia, fellow belligerent of the Balkan war, appears to be on the way to full membership.

With a guarantee of expediting Serbia's membership of the EU, Kostunica and President Boris Tadic have a deal to offer the people. Having just had parliamentary elections a year ago, the liberal democratic parties of Serbia have a mandate to agree a deal. Although all oppose independence for Kosovo, the EU has offered tangible benefits - for the first time.

Personally, I believe that Serbia should be offered EU membership before Kosovo declares independence. Such a move would easily soften the blow.

The onus is now on the EU to keep their word. In addition, the EU should heed Kostunica's warning - a declaration of independence (and subsequent recognition) sets a uneasy precedent. What of Corsica? The Basque? Catalonia? It would be unfortunate that after ten years NATO forces had to return to the Balkans in great numbers. Just goes to show that nation building isn't as easy as people make it out to be.

... and I thought that Kosovo was still be lauded as a great success of 'liberal interventionism'?