Stockholm  - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt Monday lauded the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Serbia that indicated a victory for a coalition of pro-European parties headed by President Boris Tadic.

The result of Sunday's polls was "much better than expected," Bildt told Swedish radio, referring to pre-election forecasts that had suggested that the opposition Radicals
(SRS), known for their anti-Western stance, were on track to become the largest party.

Bildt said there was no doubt that "the moral victory" was on the pro-European side.

Efforts to create a government coalition were "likely to take months," Bildt said.

The Swedish foreign minister said the recent signing of a pre- membership Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU had likely helped sway the opinion. (dpa)