U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has offered Serbia what he calls a strong new relationship with the United States.
InBelgrade Wednesday, Biden also said Washington does not expect Serbiato recognize Kosovo's independence as a "precondition" for backingBelgrade's European Union membership.
Biden spoke to reporters in the capital, after talks with Serbian President Boris Tadic.
Hepromised the United States would use its influence, energy andresources to promote Belgrade's full EU membership, despite starkdifferences over Kosovo's status.
The former Serbian provincedeclared independence last year, despite strong protests from Belgradeand its traditional ally, Russia. The United States and many Westerngovernments quickly endorsed the Kosovo declaration.
For hispart, President Tadic repeated his country's strong opposition to anindependent Kosovo. But he also said his government wishes for what hecalled the best possible relations with Washington.
Biden is the most senior U.S. official to visit Belgrade in almost three decades.
ManySerbians view the United States as anti-Serb, with mistrust stemmingfrom the 1999 U.S.-led NATO bombing campaign aimed at ending the deadlySerb crackdown on ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.
He arrived early Wednesday, following a one-day visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Bidenvisits Kosovo Thursday, where he meets President Fatmir Sejdiu andPrime Minister Hashim Thaci. His one-day visit will include an addressto the Kosovo Assembly and a visit to U.S. troops contributing to theNATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.