Serbia's parliament on Friday gave its green light to an EU-brokered deal aimed at normalising ties with former foe Kosovo, a landmark accord already approved by the government. The deal, which has come under fire from ultra-nationalists and Kosovo Serbs, won vast backing in the 250-seat parliament, as MPs from the ruling nationalists' coalition and from the centre-left opposition had already indicated they would vote in favour of it. Out of 203 deputies present, 173 voted to approve the deal, while 24 were against it. The remaining six abstained from voting.

Serbia's parliament on Friday began debating whether to green light an EU-brokered deal aimed at normalising ties with former foe Kosovo, a landmark accord already approved by the government. The deal, which has come under fire from ultra-nationalists and Kosovo Serbs, is expected to win vast backing in the 250-seat parliament, as MPs from the ruling nationalists' coalition and from the centre-left opposition have already indicated they would vote in favour of it.

Serbia on Monday rejected a Brussels-brokered proposal on easing tensions with breakaway Kosovo, seen as a key condition for EU integration talks to begin, but pledged to continue negotiations with Pristina. "The government of Serbia cannot accept principles verbally presented to its negotiating team in Brussels, since they do not guarantee full security and protection of human rights to the Serb people in Kosovo," Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dacic told reporters. However Belgrade "pledges an urgent resumption of dialogue with Pristina with EU mediation," Dacic said.

Serbia should refuse to sign an EU-brokered proposal on easing tensions with Kosovo, but continue talks with Pristina, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said Monday. "Our suggestion to the government of Serbia is that... we do not sign what does not take into consideration even the minimum of our national interests," Vucic told reporters after a meeting of his SNS party leadership.