Number: RS22601
Title: Serbia: Current Issues and U.S. Policy
Authors: Steven Woehrel, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: Serbia faces an important crossroads in its development. It is seeking to integrate into the European Union (EU), but its progress has been hindered by a failure to arrest remaining indicted war criminals and by tensions with the United States and most EU countries over the independence of Serbia's Kosovo province. The United States recognized Kosovo's independence on February 18, 2008. Britain, France, Germany, Italy and most other EU countries have also recognized Kosovo. Serbian leaders sharply condemned the move. New parliamentary elections were held in Serbia on May 11, 2008. On July 7, the Serbian parliament approved a new government coalition led by pro-Western forces, but which also includes the Socialist Party (once led by indicted war criminal Slobodan Milosevic). Serbia's capture of indicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic on July 21, 2008 in Belgrade may open the way to further improvement of Serbia's ties with the United States and EU. The second session of the 110th Congress will likely consider legislation on Serbia, including conditions on aid to Serbia.
Pages: 6
Date: July 28, 2008