Deputy Speaker President Bozic said that the bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Germany is at an enviable level, highlighting the importance of high-level political meetings for making sure that political cooperation keeps pace with the well-developed economic cooperation.

She informed the guest about the National Assembly’s current work, mentioning that the First Session, which began today, is tacking the amendments to the Law on Local Elections, which was one of the conditions set by the opposition.

She also drew attention to the Government and the Parliament’s readiness to fully implement the ODHIR recommendations into the domestic legislation, adding that this is an ongoing process with 54 of the recommendations having already been implemented. Bozic underlined the intention that the 25 ODIHR recommendations from the report submitted after the elections of 17 December, should be implemented as soon as possible, adding that the opposition did not show any interest in discussing those recommendations, but insisted on its three conditions, which have been fulfilled, so that the 2 June will see the simultaneous holding of local elections and elections for the City of Belgrade.

Michael Reiffenstuel commended the Government and the Parliament’s determination and willingness to implement the ODHIR recommendations, stressing that this is an important step. He also said that Germany recognises the importance of the integration of Serbia and the Western Balkans into the European Union, without which the EU will not be complete, adding that it is important that the candidate countries fulfil their obligations on the path to European integration.

The officials exchanged opinions on the importance of regional cooperation, through the Berlin Process, the Open Balkans and other regional initiatives, agreeing that this contributes to the stability of the Western Balkans region, as well as its rapprochement to the EU.

They also discussed the current situation in Kosovo-Metohija and the importance of the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities, an obligation arising from the Brussels Agreement.

Bozic and Reiffenstuel said that it is important to exchange opinions and contacts between the political representatives of Serbia and Germany, especially parliamentarians, as this leads to a better mutual understanding even in issues on which there is no agreement.