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Tadic hails Serbia poll victory EU offers closer ties to Serbia
(about 1 hour later)
Serbia's pro-Western President, Boris Tadic, has said his re-election shows the strength of Serbian democracy. The European Union has said it wants to accelerate Serbia's progress towards membership following the re-election of pro-Western President Boris Tadic.
Mr Tadic claimed victory after taking more than half the votes cast in a run-off poll against nationalist challenger Tomislav Nikolic. Mr Tadic claimed victory after taking slightly more than half the votes cast in a tight run-off contest with nationalist Tomislav Nikolic.
The European Union has congratulated Mr Tadic on his win in an election widely seen as a referendum on Serbia's relations with the EU. He had campaigned on a ticket promising EU-backed prosperity against Mr Nikolic's pro-Moscow campaign.
It comes as Serbia's Kosovo province prepares to declare independence.It comes as Serbia's Kosovo province prepares to declare independence.
Serbia's electoral commission said Mr Tadic had secured about 51% of the votes compared to Mr Nikolic's 47% in a closely monitored election. Monitors put turnout at about 67%. In a message to Mr Tadic, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission - the EU's executive arm - said the result was "a victory for democracy in Serbia and for the European values we share".
The election had been seen as a fundamental choice for the country, which has yet to fully shake off the isolation of the 1990s.
This president will lead us to Europe, for which we can hardly wait Boris Tadic supporter Boris Tadic profilePoll leaves Serbs splitIn pictures: Tadic victoriousThis president will lead us to Europe, for which we can hardly wait Boris Tadic supporter Boris Tadic profilePoll leaves Serbs splitIn pictures: Tadic victorious
Mr Tadic campaigned on a ticket promising EU-backed prosperity against Mr Nikolic's pro-Moscow campaign. He added: "Your victory comes at a critical moment for Serbia and for the western Balkans.
"I am confident that Serbia will continue to play a constructive role in facing up to current challenges and in ensuring stability in the region.
"We wish to accelerate Serbia's progress towards the European Union.
He made no mention of the expected declaration of independence by Kosovo.
Kosovo has been run by the UN since 1999, when a US-led Nato bombing campaign drove out Serb forces accused of a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.
The US and most of the EU members back the independence plan, while Serbia and Russia are strongly opposed to it.
Both candidates argued against independence for Kosovo.Both candidates argued against independence for Kosovo.
Addressing hundreds of cheering supporters from a window overlooking the main Terazije avenue in the Serbian capital Belgrade, Mr Tadic said: "Serbia has shown its great democratic potential." 'Peace and co-operation'
Serbia's electoral commission said Mr Tadic had secured about 51% of the votes compared to Mr Nikolic's 47% in a closely monitored election. Monitors put turnout at about 67%.
The election was seen as a fundamental choice for the country, which has yet to fully shake off the isolation of the 1990s.
Early on Monday, addressing hundreds of cheering supporters from a window overlooking the main Terazije avenue in the Serbian capital Belgrade, Mr Tadic said: "Serbia has shown its great democratic potential."
He added: "I think we have proved both to Europe and everywhere else in the world what kind of democracy we have in Serbia.He added: "I think we have proved both to Europe and everywhere else in the world what kind of democracy we have in Serbia.
"We give support today to our fellow people in Kosovo and show them that we will never let them down."We give support today to our fellow people in Kosovo and show them that we will never let them down.
"We don't want bad things to come to anyone. We want peace, co-operation with all countries in the region, but we demand Serbia be respected.""We don't want bad things to come to anyone. We want peace, co-operation with all countries in the region, but we demand Serbia be respected."
Mr Nikolic admitted defeat and congratulated Mr Tadic, but added: "I will remain to be his tough opposition."Mr Nikolic admitted defeat and congratulated Mr Tadic, but added: "I will remain to be his tough opposition."
EU membership
In a message to Mr Tadic, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission - the EU's executive arm - said the result was "a victory for democracy in Serbia and for the European values we share".
He added: "Your victory comes at a critical moment for Serbia and for the western Balkans. I am confident that Serbia will continue to play a constructive role in facing up to current challenges and in ensuring stability in the region.
"We wish to accelerate Serbia's progress towards the European Union. We believe that closer ties with the EU will not only enhance the role of Serbia on the international stage, but will contribute to greater prosperity and wellbeing for the Serbian people."
The statement made no mention of the expected declaration of independence by Kosovo.
Kosovo has been run by the UN since 1999, when a US-led Nato bombing campaign drove out Serb forces accused of a brutal crackdown on ethnic Albanian separatists.
The US and most of the EU members back the independence plan, while Serbia and Russia are strongly opposed to it.
Commander-in-chiefCommander-in-chief
Mr Tadic, a psychology graduate and former defence minister, leads the Democratic Party, which has made pushing for Serbian entry to the EU a priority.Mr Tadic, a psychology graduate and former defence minister, leads the Democratic Party, which has made pushing for Serbian entry to the EU a priority.
He supports the free market and democratic reforms, and advocates co-operation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.He supports the free market and democratic reforms, and advocates co-operation with the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague.
Mr Nikolic, who believes in closer ties with Russia, was one of the founders of the hardline nationalist Serbian Radical Party.Mr Nikolic, who believes in closer ties with Russia, was one of the founders of the hardline nationalist Serbian Radical Party.
The Radicals were allies of the ex-President, Slobodan Milosevic, and their leader, Vojislav Seselj, is currently on trial at The Hague for his role during the wars of the 1990s.The Radicals were allies of the ex-President, Slobodan Milosevic, and their leader, Vojislav Seselj, is currently on trial at The Hague for his role during the wars of the 1990s.
While the presidency is a largely ceremonial office, the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, a role which carries strong symbolic weight.While the presidency is a largely ceremonial office, the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, a role which carries strong symbolic weight.