Serbia is seeking a loose union with Russia and Belarus, a close ally of President Slobodan Milo sevic has said. The Serbian Deputy Premier, Mr Voji slav Seselj, who is visiting Belarus, called on Moscow and Minsk to determine dates for accepting Serbia into the union.
Mr Seselj, an ultra-nationalist in the Serb-led Yugoslav government, has made similar statements in the past, but no action has been taken so far.
He also said Yugoslavia hoped to join the Russian-Belarusian parliamentary assembly as a permanent observer at its meeting today.
The union between Russia and Belarus, two neighbouring former Soviet republics, was signed two years ago and calls for closer political, economic and military ties, but stops short of creating a single state.
Mr Seselj, who had talks with several Belarusian officials, is scheduled to meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko today. Mr Lukashenko, an authoritarian, has defended the Serbs and regularly attacks the west for what he describes as policies aimed against Slavic people.