Slovenia said that it will start membership talks with Serbia.

Slovenia, at the helm of EU’s six month rotating presidency, is calling for talks targeted at Serbian membership of the elite club to begin soon.

EU officials said reviewing Serbia’s failure to expedite suspected war criminals to The Hague, Belgrade may not be prepared.

Dimitrij Rupel, the Slovenian Foreign Minister said Slovenia would appreciate Serbia’s forward move towards EU membership as soon as possible. Slovenian members are aiming to broker a deal with other EU member states to enter into SAA (Stablization and Association Agreement) with Belgrade.

Rupel said, “I am one of those who believe the SAA should be signed as soon as possible, possibly by the end of this month.”

Kosovo is also expected to declare its independence soon.