The prospects of Serbia taking an important first step towards European Union membership later this year have received a significant boost amid signs that two EU member states – Belgium and the Netherlands – are softening their opposition to the move.

For some time, Belgium and the Netherlands have insisted that they will not back moves to allow Serbia to sign a Stabilisation and Association agreement with the EU unless Belgrade first delivers Ratko Mladic, former Yugoslav general, to the International Criminal Court in the Hague.