The European Union said Monday it would lift sanctions against Serbia if its people vote on September 24 to "repudiate clearly and peacefully the policy of Milosevic".
In a "message to the Serbian people," the union said it would also provide Yugoslavia's dominant republic with economic aid if it embraces "necessary economic and political reforms."
Presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held in Yugoslavia on Sunday.
The statement -- which came out of an EU foreign ministers' meeting -- was the strongest yet from the 15-nation bloc in support of democratic rivals of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic.
EU foreign ministers had discussed the sanctions earlier this month during an informal meeting in the French Alpine resort of Evian.
France, which holds the rotating EU presidency, and several other EU member states favored easing sanctions. Britain, the Netherlands and Denmark had taken a harder line.
"The elections, whatever the circumstances under which they have been decided and organized, will give the Serbian people the opportunity to repudiate clearly and peacefully the policy of Milosevic, which consists of political manipulation, deprivation of liberty and impoverishment of the population," it said.
"It is that policy which led the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to war, isolation and deadlock," it said.
"These elections will give the Serbian people a chance for democratic change. It is up to them to seize the opportunity by turning out to vote ... A vote for democracy in Serbia will be a vote for Serbia in Europe." -- BRUSSELS (AFP)
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