The Conference is attended by delegations from Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania. The delegations of Kosovo* and Turkey are attending in the capacity of observer.

The Conference was opened by European Integration Committee Chairman Aleksandar Senic who declared the 10th COSAP historic because of the participation of representatives of Kosovo* which testifies to the beginning of normalisation of relations in the region. Senic opined that all the countries in the region had achieved noticeable progress and briefed the participants of the Conference on the European integration process in Serbia, highlighting the importance of regional cooperation and participation of civil society organisations in the EU integration process.

The Head of the Political Section of the EU Delegation in Serbia Luca Bianconi spoke of the importance of continued reform in the countries in the region, combating corruption and crime, transparency of the institutions, freedom of the media and regional cooperation. The National Assembly’s role lies primarily in the control of the executive, said Bianconi, adding that the supreme legislative body should also contribute to the maintenance of dialogue and supervise the implementation of reforms in the country. Today’s conference could greatly contribute to these goals, Bianconi concluded.

In the session on the EU Enlargement Strategy and key challenges 2014-2015, with conclusions for each country, the Chair of the Latvian Parliament’s European Affairs Committee Lolita Cigane shared Latvia’s support of Serbia’s European road and understanding for the seriousness of the European integration process. Latvian Presidency’s priority is to contribute to the stability in the region, said Cigane adding that enlargement is the key to EU’s continued success. Lolita Cigane said that the Western Balkan countries have made progress, but at the same time asked what the EU can offer new members, opining that the Western Balkan countries need concrete assistance in the accession process.

The chairs and members of the delegations of the European integration/affairs committees of states participating in the stabilisation and association process of the South-East Europe reviewed the current situation and exchanged views on the possible improvement of relations in the region. The parliamentarians concluded that the goal of the states participating in the stabilisation and association process is EU membership and stressed the need to further strengthen parliamentary cooperation.

Deputy Chair of the Croatian Parliament’s European Affairs Committee Igor Kolman spoke in the second session on the first day, Economic reforms and social policy challenges in the process of the accession to the EU. He said that Croatia is firmly in favour of the further enlargement of the European Union to include the countries of the Western Balkans. He also shared Croatia’s experience of the EU accession and informed the participants of the Conference about the challenges it came up against in the process.

On the second day of the Conference, 11 March, the participants discussed regional cooperation and joint initiatives in the area of IPA2 funds and energy policy practices and concerns. The participants of the Conference were addressed by EU Funds expert Ognjen Miric and Energy Policy expert Aleksandar Macura.

European Integration Committee Chairman Aleksandar Senic officially handed the chairmanship of COSAP over to Albanian Parliament’s European Integration Committee Chair Majlinda Bregu. She announced that the Albanian chairmanship of COSAP will focus of the parliaments’ role in strengthening the security and stability of the region.

At the end of the two-day Conference the participants adopted a Joint Statement.