TheDelegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe of the European Parliament, headed by its Chairwoman, Doris Pack, today paid a working visit to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

The Chairman of the National Assembly, Predrag Markovic, and officials of the European Integrations Committee, the Finance Committee, the Justice Committee and the Inter-Ethnic Relations Committee, making up a delegation headed by the chairperson of the European Integrations Committee, Ksenija Milivojevic, discussed several key issues relating to activities of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia with their counterparts from the European Parliament. As this is the first visit of the European Parliament’s Delegation to the National Assembly, Ms Pack and Mr Markovic held a joint news conference.
Mr Markovic expressed his pleasure at the Delegation’s visit, underlining that the meeting discussed the assessment of the National Assembly’s activities included in the Report of the European Commission that has recently been made public. He added that the talks also involved technical details of future co-operation between the two parliaments, above all at the level of the European Integrations Committee. Mr Markovic said that it was very important to continue this co-operation, which now personally involves the two parliaments and their representatives, and their responsibility to, above all, keep ensuring that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia continues to provide legislative support to European integrations and regional stability. Mr Markovic also stressed that the adoption of the Resolution on Joining the European Union was an immensely important moment in the history of the National Assembly, as well as that it showed beyond all doubt Serbia’s resolve to continue along the road of European integrations.
Speaking of the contribution given by the National Assembly, and personally by its Chairman, to the field of protecting human and minority rights, Mr Markovic underlined the importance of the Tolerance Programme, which is being implemented by the Serbian Assembly in co-operation with the Hungarian Parliament, and which has received the personal backing of the President of the European Parliament.

Ms Pack said she was greatly pleased with the efficiency shown by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in adopting a large number of laws necessary for Serbia’s progress in integration with the European Union. She also expressed her satisfaction at the establishment of co-operation between the two parliaments, and with the fact that the Delegation for relations with the countries of south-east Europe has recognised a true partner in the National Assembly. She also stressed how pleased she was with the establishment of two-way communication and co-operation with the European Integrations Committee.