Svilanovic made the request in a letter to Britain's ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro, Charles Crawford, who is the coordinator for NATO affairs in Serbia and Montenegro.

"The adhesion of the state to this programme would contribute without any doubt to the pursuit of reforms in our country, particularly the reform of the armed forces which implies full democratic control," said the letter, a copy of which was seen here.

It said Serbia and Montenegro, which replaced the disbanded Yugoslav federation earlier this year, was "ready to contribute in all ways to the realisation of the programmes of the Partnership for Peace and to the reinforcement of security in the region".

Membership of the Partnership for Peace is generally considered a stepping stone to membership of NATO.

WAR.WIRE