The internal document cited by Tanjug news agency says the Commission will draw up a report after establishing that Serbia has met the necessary level of agreement with the criteria set by the European Council on 5 December 2011, notably with regard to Kosovo.

The Commission will recommend to the Council to set a date for opening accession talks after assessing that visible and sustainable improvement has been made in Serbia's relations with Kosovo that will enable both to make headway towards EU and avoid mutual blockades, it was reported.

Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele will announce this assessment to Serbia's political leadership when he arrives in Belgrade next Wednesday for talks on the Commission's progress report and Serbia's next steps in the EU integration process, his spokesman Peter Stano has said.

One of the Commission's key assessments is that EU enlargement should go on but that human rights violations, organised crime and corruption pose serious challenges.

Officials in Brussels have said that in Belgrade's case, the progress report will include an assessment of a Pride Parade ban that has already prompted concern, condemnation and criticism in European institutions.

Although it does not particularly focus on the ban, the European Commission's enlargement strategy highlights violations of minority rights, notably those of the LGBT community, in the Western Balkans.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic's foreign affairs advisor Marko Djuric said today Serbia was on the right track in the EU integration process but that it also saw to the protection of its state and national interests and that it would not make rushed moves with regard to Kosovo.