Democrats seek closer EU ties

Bozidar Djelic is remaining guarded on the issue of Kosovo

The nationalist Radical Party is on course to be the largest single party after Serbia's election, but is not expected to form a government. Two other parties have won substantial shares of the vote.

The BBC's John McManus spoke to Bozidar Djelic, candidate for prime minister of the pro-EU Democratic Party (DS).

How has the Democratic Party done?

The Democratic Party has done splendidly. It is a record for any pro-Europe and pro-democracy party here in Serbia. We have a lot of reasons to be satisfied. Above all the DP sees itself as having a role in state-building.

This election focused on civil ideas such as tax, which is a real improvement for Serbia. The media will focus on the Serbian Radical Party, but those results weren't progressive.

If you become the next prime minister, what kind of relations will your party have with Europe?

We have been the bridge between Europe and Serbia, people see us as that party, and it explains our results. We aim to restart the stabilisation and association process within three months of coming to power.

Then we want to achieve the status of candidate country to join the EU within one year, and then achieve the Schengen agreement in the second year.

We know Europeans are concerned about unwanted migration, and we'll work very hard to ensure this isn't a jump into the unknown.

A decision is due soon on Kosovo. How will you react to Western demands that it become independent?

There is a natural consensus that Kosovo should have as much autonomy as possible within Serbia. With such a delicate issue it is best to wait for the new government to be formed and then we will be able to discuss this properly.

Any unilateral or imposed solution in this interim period will only play into the hands of the nationalists, and encourage them to have a repeat election.

It will give them a platform that they have been denied in this election.

And if the UN and EU still insist on Kosovo's independence?

Let us negotiate. We do not intend to blackmail the international community and neither should the people in Pristina.