Serbia's President Boris Tadic formally inaugurated

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The Associated Press Published: February 15, 2008
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BELGRADE, Serbia: Serbia's newly re-elected president Boris Tadic pledged Friday to lead his troubled nation to membership in the European Union.

Tadic was formally sworn in for a new, five-year term at a ceremonial session of parliament attended by top officials, diplomats, Serbian Orthodox Church dignitaries and other prominent public figures.

"Our citizens rightfully expect us to work for their benefit and that is why they chose us," Tadic said. "They voted to turn Serbia into a strong and stable country (and) a member of the European Union."

Tadic, a pro-Western reformist, narrowly won a Feb. 3 runoff against his ultra-nationalist challenger Tomislav Nikolic. The vote was seen as crucial for Serbia's future, offering a choice between Tadic's pro-EU policies and Nikolic's pro-Russian nationalism.

Tadic begins his new term at a sensitive time, as the Balkan country faces the possible loss of the province of Kosovo, Serbia's medieval heartland now dominated by separatist ethnic Albanians.

Kosovo's Albanian leadership is planning to unilaterally declare independence within days. Belgrade has vowed never to accept Kosovo's statehood.

Tadic too has pledged not to recognize the province's secession. But, unlike Serbia's nationalist Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, Tadic advocates Serbia's integration into the EU, regardless of the bloc's backing for Kosovo's independence bid.

The dispute between Tadic and Kostunica over the issue pushed Serbia into a brief political crisis after the presidential runoff, threatening the shaky coalition government.

In his oath before the Serbian deputies, Tadic swore to defend Serbia's territorial integrity, including Kosovo. But, he also pledged to pursue Serbia's European future.

"I will never give up the fight for our Kosovo," he said. "And, I will fight with full force to achieve Serbia's membership in the European Union."

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