Text of report in English by Serbian pro-western Belgrade-based Radio B92 website, on 7 October Novi Sad, 7 October: Serbia needs to beef up before it joins the EU, and not delude itself by thinking that this will begin the moment it becomes a member, says [former Serbian Prime Minister] Vojislav Kostunica.

Text of report by Serbian wide-circulation tabloid Vecernje novosti, on 19 August [Interview with Jovan Krkobabic, Serbian deputy prime minister and chairman of the United Pensioners Party of Serbia (PUPS), by Nenad Calukovic on 18 August; place not given: "Pensions or Breakup"] Pensions will be raised 10 per cent in September, Deputy Prime Minister Jovan Krkobabic said yesterday [18 August] in an interview with Vecernje Novosti, adding that on Thursday [ 21 August] the Serbian Government will enact a decree on an extraordinary pension increase.

Text of report in English by Serbian pro-western Belgrade-based Radio B92 website, on 13 June Belgrade, 13 June: Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has blasted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's plans to alter the configuration of the UN mission in Kosovo by bringing EULEX [EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo] under UN auspices.

By Vesna Peric Zimonjic Serbs have voted for close ties with Europe in parliamentary elections seen by many as crucial to the country's future.

By Dan Bilefsky Serbs went to the polls Sunday in closely contested parliamentary elections considered a referendum on whether Serbia turns toward Europe or reverts to the nationalism and isolation of the Milosevic years.