Serbia should choose “European Path,” said the European Commissioner for Enlargement, Olli Rehn at a conference in Brussels on civil society in South Eastern Europe that he opened together with the American businessman George Soros.

The Finnish politician, Rehn said, “The EU wants Serbia to avoid self-isolation and choose the European path at the elections, and also wishes to help Kosovo stand on its own.” The European Enlargement Commissioner stressed, the EU supports progress and is fully committed to the European future of the Western Balkans.

“Should it succeed in overcoming the challenges brought about by Kosovo’s status and the elections in Serbia, South Eastern Europe has a shining, European future,” said the potential presidential candidate for the 2012 election in Finland

According to Rehn, “if the problems concerning Kosovo’s status and democratic stability in Serbia are successfully overcome, the Western Balkans will have a radiant future within the European Union.”

Rehn emphasized, “Serbia plays a crucial role in stability and good neighborly relations in the Western Balkans. Serbia again approaches a crucial decision at the May 11 elections, and the Serbian people have to choose if they want to head for a European future, or to expose themselves to the danger of self-isolation.” He expressed his hope that “Serbia will choose Europe.”

Speaking of Kosovo, Rehn said, “The EU supports Kosovo in standing on its own, and wants to help Kosovo help itself. That is ultimately the goal of our economic and social development program, and that is the task of the EU Mission to Kosovo, EULEX.”