(ANSA) - BELGRADE, 14 LUG - If a referendum were held today, 46% of Serbians would vote in favor of the country joining the EU, while 44% would vote against it. These data result from a survey conducted by the NGO Center for Free Elections and Democracy (CeSID), as reported by public broadcaster RTS. Researchers from the NGO noted that the gap between supporters and opponents has never been this narrow. They recalled that the highest level of support for EU accession — over 70% — was recorded in previous years when Brussels decided to lift visa requirements for Serbian citizens. At the same time, the lowest came during the extradition of Serbian war criminals to the Hague tribunal. So far, Serbia has opened 22 out of 35 negotiating chapters with the EU. The Balkan country submitted its application for membership in 2009, gained candidate status in 2012, and began accession talks in January 2014. (ANSA).