BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic on Tuesday protested against the European Union's decision to postpone by three months conclusion on whether to recognize the Balkan country as a membership candidate.

"I think the time has come to talk openly and honestly," said Dacic. "Serbia is being asked to recognize the independence of Kosovo... Let's no longer talk about fairy tales, this is what's being asked of Serbia."

The deputy prime minister said recognition of Kosovo was the most recent in a string of conditions imposed on Serbia during the past decade, and that despite numerous gestures over the years, Serbia's candidacy for the EU was once again stalled.

He said the international community had betrayed the expectations of Serbian citizens.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Belgrade still considers the territory to be a Serbian province.

Although the EU has not recognized Kosovo's independence, leading European states have exchanged ambassadors with Pristina.

According to Dacic, the underlying question remained whether the EU genuinely wanted to accept Serbia as a member.

"If the EU doesn't want to expand further, it should say so," said Dacic.

As for Serbia, a pivotal moment has arrived for its political direction, he said.

"If this (recognition of Kosovo's independence) is a condition of the EU, then Serbia has to decide whether it wants to or not. End of discussion," said Dacic.

Serbian President Boris Tadic, meanwhile, also said the country would not recognize the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence and would continue to work according to the parameters defined by UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which provided the legal framework for the international administration in Kosovo.

"We will continue our struggle in a peaceful diplomatic way," said Tadic, adding that a stable Balkan region required a stable Serbia.