Serbia was granted EU "candidate status".

European Union leaders have granted Serbia "candidate status", at a summit in Brussels, BBC News reported.

Belgrade has made a series of democratic reforms and captured war crimes suspects to satisfy EU demands. It applied for EU membership in 2009.

The summit came two days after foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc recommended accepting Serbia.

The president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, described the move as a "remarkable achievement".

He said it was the result of improved dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, which Belgrade still regards as a breakaway territory.
Serbia recently made a series of concessions on Kosovo - which has been a major stumbling block.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Serbia's candidacy "shows that the EU remains very attractive ... [because it and other countries] want to join this project of freedom, responsibility and solidarity".