Serbian President Boris Tadic has dissolved parliament, calling snap elections for May 11, BBC reported Thursday.

The move follows last week's collapse of the governing coalition, led by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica that came after ministers failed to agree on whether to suspend ties with the EU, in protest at recognition of Kosovan independence by some members of the bloc.

"The elections are a democratic way for citizens to say how Serbia should develop in years to come," President Tadic said in a statement.

Mr Kostunica, who leads the Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS), says recognition of Kosovo by major EU states is illegal.

"All parties want Serbia to join the EU, but the question is how - with or without Kosovo," he said last week.

President Tadic says Belgrade will only be able to defend its right to Kosovo if it joins the EU.

Kosovo's declaration of independence on 17 February came nearly a decade after Nato forces expelled Serbian forces from the majority ethnic Albanian territory.

The US and most EU states have recognised Pristina's unilateral move.

Serbia and its ally Russia say they will never accept it.

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