Brussels, 13/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - Talks on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia, suspended since May 2006, resumed on Wednesday. “I'm delighted to see Serbia back at the negotiating table,” Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn told press after his meeting with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar Djelic. The already positive attitude displayed towards the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) had to be further strengthened, full cooperation with The Hague being a condition for the conclusion of the SAA talks, Mr Rehn said once again (see EUROPE 9441). According to Mr Djelic, Belgrade's aim is to become an applicant country “next year”. While Mr Rehn also stressed the opportunity offered to Belgrade to move closer to EU accession, without linking it to the future status of Kosovo, the Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica said he felt that “today's resumption of SAA talks provide the opportunity for the EU to demonstrate clearly that it considers Serbia to be a partner. This means full respect for Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.” In a press release, he stressed that the EU should respect Serbia's internationally recognised borders and the fact that Kosovo was an integral and inalienable part of Serbia. (ab)