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Serbian MPs endorse key EU deal Serbian MPs endorse key EU deal
(about 2 hours later)
Serbia's parliament has ratified a key EU document, in a major step on the path to joining the bloc.Serbia's parliament has ratified a key EU document, in a major step on the path to joining the bloc.
The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) was backed by 139 deputies, with 26 voting against.The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) was backed by 139 deputies, with 26 voting against.
However, it still has to be backed by all 27 EU countries, some of whom are still not fully satisfied with Serbia's co-operation on war crimes issues.However, it still has to be backed by all 27 EU countries, some of whom are still not fully satisfied with Serbia's co-operation on war crimes issues.
The EU has been a divisive issue in Serbia, partly causing the collapse of the last government. Meanwhile, MPs also backed a deal with Moscow that would give Russia's Gazprom control over Serbia's state oil firm.
Radicals rift
The EU has been a divisive issue in Serbia, partly causing the collapse of the last government earlier this year.
In subsequent elections, however, pro-EU parties were voted in with a substantial majority.In subsequent elections, however, pro-EU parties were voted in with a substantial majority.
The issue has also caused a split in the opposition Serbian Radical Party (SRS), leading to the resignation of its leader Tomislav Nikolic. The capture in July of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was considered a major boost for Serbia's EU bid, though Brussels says his ally General Ratko Mladic must also be handed over before it can join.
The EU issue has also caused a split in the opposition Serbian Radical Party (SRS), leading to the resignation of its leader Tomislav Nikolic.
Last week, in a historic U-turn, he committed the nationalist party to backing the SAA.Last week, in a historic U-turn, he committed the nationalist party to backing the SAA.
But that provoked a backlash by many members, forcing him to step down and form his own breakaway faction, while hardliner Dragan Todorovic took charge of the main SRS parliamentary group.But that provoked a backlash by many members, forcing him to step down and form his own breakaway faction, while hardliner Dragan Todorovic took charge of the main SRS parliamentary group.
Hardline nationalists have been angered by some EU states' support for Kosovo's independence, as well as its insistence on the pursuit of Serbian war crimes suspects.
In the event, both the main SRS and the breakaway group boycotted the EU vote on Tuesday, but the government coalition had enough votes to win.
Links with Moscow
The energy deal agreed overwhelmingly in parliament on the same day has been described as historic.
It gives Russian gas export giant Gazprom a 51% stake in NIS, Serbia's state-owned oil monopoly.
Gazprom has pledged to invest 500m euros (£400m) in modernising the company, on top of the 400m euros it is paying for it.
Serbia will benefit by being linked to Gazprom's South Stream gas pipeline project to carry Russian gas to Europe, improving Serbia's access to energy supplies, and potentially earning it fees if the gas is carried to other Balkan countries.
Critics, however, say Belgrade has put control of a key industry in the hands of a foreign power at a knockdown price.