Opening the 38th meeting of the PABSEC Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee, Committee Chairman Gagik Minasyan shared his pleasure at the fact that the meeting was taking place in Novi Sad, Serbia. Minasyan highlighted the influence of agriculture on economic growth in the PABSEC member states, expressing his belief that the draft report and recommendations of the meeting would further stimulate the economic development of the countries of the Black Sea region.

The Head of the National Assembly standing delegation to PABSEC Aleksandar Vlahovic welcomed the participants on the behalf of the National Assembly, drawing attention to the excellent cooperation between the PABSEC member states particularly relating to the economic issues the organisation deals with. Serbia has a long wine-growing and wine-making tradition, said Vlahovic adding that Serbia has undertaken significant legislative activities in the sphere. The draft report and recommendations of the Committee meeting which the PABSEC will consider at the next plenary session, will further boost the development of the agricultural branch and improve cooperation between the member states of the organisation, Vlahovic concluded.

The President of the Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Bojan Pajtic said that Vojvodina is home to 27 ethnic communities and uses six official languages which is exactly what makes it the right place to host international meetings. Civilisational progress is reflected in economic development and intense economic movements which cannot be achieved without economic cooperation with the neighbours, stressed Pajtic.

More than 30 representatives from seven member states took part in the 38th meeting of the PABSEC Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee, as did Jorgovanka Tabakovic, member of the National Assembly standing delegation and Vice-Chairperson of the PABSEC Economic, Commercial, Technological and Environmental Affairs Committee.

PABSEC was established in 1993 and presents an effective forum for inter-parliamentary dialogue in the Black Sea region. It facilitates economic, commercial, political and social cooperation between countries by adopting acts which establish the legislative foundation for cooperation on the ministerial level and aims to protect parliamentary democracy, establishes cooperation with BSEC bodies and cooperation with regional bodies. The Republic of Serbia has been a full member of the organisation since 2004.