"We welcome Serbia's swift endorsement of the implementation roadmap on the historic normalisation plan agreed with Kosovo last April. This move must now translate into tangible progress on the ground, especially in dismantling Serbia's parallel institutions in northern Kosovo. 

"Belgrade is delivering on its commitments. The EU must respond in kind and invite Serbia to the next stage of the accession process. Not merely as a reward for the Kosovo agreement but because it is our strategic interest and our responsibility to help Serbia – and the rest of the region – accelerate the reform process and move closer to EU membership.

"Should the European Council fail to set a date for the start of accession negotiations with Serbia, the credibility of our entire Western Balkan enlargement agenda could be affected. But I am confident that member states recognise the wider implications of the decision on Serbia's progress towards accession."

Maria Eleni Koppa, S&D shadow rapporteur on Serbia, added: 

"Serbia has made great progress in many fields, including on the sensitive issue of Kosovo. It needs a positive sign confirming that its efforts were not vain. With the normalisation of relations with Kosovo underway, Serbia now needs to inject new dynamism into the reform process.

"Further efforts are needed, especially in the fields of rule of law, judicial reform, anti-discrimination and the fight against corruption and organised crime. Serbia is on the right track and we need to support it."

On 6 June an S&D delegation composed of vice-president Libor Rouček MEP and Knut Fleckenstein MEP will visit Belgrade on a fact-finding mission.