The European Union, the United States and former enemy Croatia applauded Serbia today for turning its back on hardline nationalism to elect a pro-Western liberal president.
They said the victory of Democratic Party leader Mr Boris Tadic over Radical Party champion Mr Tomislav Nikolic was welcome proof most Serbs wanted to abandon the last vestiges of strongman Slobodan Milosevic's disastrous legacy.
But Washington and Brussels both expect rapid moves to hand over war crimes suspects indicted by the United Nations.
Doing so would earn blessings from the EU, which Serbia wants to join eventually, and the United States, which could assure its entry to Nato and access to foreign loans.
"Boris Tadic is a friend of Europe," European Union foreign policy chief Mr Javier Solana said. "The people of Serbia have clearly expressed their desire for a European future."
Mr Tadic offered a chance to revitalise reforms, make friends with neighbours and "fulfil international obligations", Mr Solana added, in a reference to cooperation with the Hague tribunal. The US government said Serbs had "clearly chosen the path that will lead Serbia to the Euro-Atlantic integration and institutions where it belongs".