The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia , Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received today a delegation of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU), headed by Zhizhen Wang, CAFIU Vice President and Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

Vice-President Wang conveyed the greetings of the Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress to the National Assembly Speaker, deeming that the relations between China and Serbia were characterised by a traditional friendship that could contribute to further development of political, cultural and economic relations. She briefed Assembly Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic on the CAFIU organisation and goals, as well as the economic development the People’s Republic of China realised in the previous period. She pointed out that both states aim to improve their citizens’ standard of living, so the exchange of opinions and experiences on all levels is greatly important for both countries.

In the meeting with the Chinese delegation, the National Assembly Speaker stressed that, as a friendly country, the People’s Republic of China was well acquainted with all the details from Serbia’s distant and recent past, characterised by a strong course of reform. In the process, the National Assembly plays a significant role since its legislative activity sets the foundation for reform and economic development.

The Assembly Speaker pointed out that Serbia’s basic state priorities concern the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty, expediating the European integration process, fighting crime and corruption and creating better living conditions for its citizens. The Assembly Speaker thanked the People’s Republic of China for its principled position regarding the Kosovo-Metohija issue. She added that the National Assembly’s legislative activity aims at solutions that stimulate investment and employment and raise Serbia’s rank in the world regarding service and product placement. The Assembly Speaker pointed out that cooperation between the working bodies of the National Assembly and the People’s Congress was the way to deepen and intensify overall relations between the two countries. She briefed the members of the Chinese delegation on the measures implemented in Serbia so as to alleviate the impact of the global economic crisis and to protect the most endangered social categories, above all children. She pointed out that the National Assembly had formed a Children’s Rights Working Group that is to become a special assembly working body by the adoption of the National Assembly Act and new Rules of Procedure. The Assembly Speaker proposed that, in light of the world economic crisis, the children’s rights issue be one of the topics for further cooperation between the National Assembly, China’s People’s Congress and the Chinese Association for International Understanding.