Dacic said that energy policy today is a top priority with any country, one that intertwines issues from the spheres of security, diplomacy, the economy, even public health and environmental protection.

“To make sure we are mindful of all of these and many other aspects when conducting energy policy, the role of this Forum is becoming increasingly important, which is why I want to offer full support for its work here," said Ivica Dacic, adding that the energy sector is one of the biggest drivers of our economy.

The National Assembly Speaker said that our responsibility toward the energy sector should at least be at the level of the importance it has for our country and the economy.

"The role of this Forum, as I said a moment ago, is inescapable, because it has the ability to comprehend the complexity of the energy policy, and at the same time bears the responsibility of its significance for our economy and better international position overall. The Forum can do that, because of its wide range of participants - from the Parliament, Government, competent agencies, public and other companies, local self-governments, non-governmental sector. Your common goal, as you emphasised in your founding document, is to help the decision makers make decisions that are in the best interest of our country by constantly exchanging information and initiatives", Ivica Dacic said.

"Dear fellow MPs,

Dear guests,

Thank you for the invitation to today's constitution of the Serbian Parliamentary Energy Policy Forum, or rather - the continuation of its work in this current National Assembly legislature. I would especially like to thank my colleague Aleksandra Tomic, not only because she kindly invited me to address you today, but also because this Forum, as her initiative, is entering its third term, so to speak.

That is proof that this is an important and, I am convinced, long-term project, whose significance goes beyond the parliamentary framework. This Forum has so far shown itself becoming essential to the creation and designing of our energy policy. It is a modern form of networking, exchange of information and initiatives among those who can help the development of our energy policy. And I do not need to tell you about the importance of that policy. Today, energy policy is at the top of every country's priorities, and it intertwines issues from the sphere of security, diplomacy, the economy, and even public health and environmental protection. To make sure we are mindful of all of these and many other aspects when conducting energy policy, the role of this Forum is becoming increasingly important, which is why I want to offer full support for its work here.

The energy sector is one of the biggest drivers of our economy, it is one of the leading factors of our economic growth and vital for attracting direct foreign investment. Our responsibility toward the energy sector should at least be at the level of the importance it has for our country and the economy. At the same time, the development of the energy sector and energy policy in general is inconceivable without connecting with other countries and other energy systems, be they neighbours from the region or wider energy integration - European and Eurasian frameworks.

The role of this Forum, as I said a moment ago, is inescapable, because it has the ability to comprehend the complexity of the energy policy, and at the same time bears the responsibility of its significance for our economy and better international position overall. The Forum can do that, because of its wide range of participants - from the Parliament, Government, competent agencies, public and other companies, local self-governments, non-governmental sector. Your common goal, as you emphasised in your founding document, is to help the decision makers make decisions that are in the best interest of our country by constantly exchanging information and initiatives. In previous years, that goal has been met, and there is no reason why it should not be the same in the future. The National Assembly and I, as its Speaker, will fully support your efforts.

Thank you and I wish you success.”