The first session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia - National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Cooperation Commission, opened by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic and the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Nedeljko Cubrilovic, was held in Belgrade today.
The Parliamentary Commission discussed the development of relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska and the prospects of regional stability and security, parliamentary support for the development of economic cooperation and trade between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska in key areas, with a special focus on energy and infrastructure. The members of the Commission also considered the cooperation in keeping historical memory through joint commemorations of anniversaries, remembering of victims and construction and maintenance of memorials.
One of the conclusions of the Commission was that the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska are strategically committed to work together toward peace, stability and development and that it is in the interest of Serbia, Republic of Srpska and everyone in the region to oppose challenges, risks and threats with cooperation, dialogue and progress. They emphasized the importance of supporting investments into the Republic of Srpska, cooperation in the field of hydropower, construction of road infrastructure and engagement on joint projects. They also urged for a consistent implementation of all the regional arrangements, such as CEFTA, and their advancement where possible, despite unilateral moves, provocations, sanctions and anti-civilizational measures such as the imposition of the 100% customs tariff by the provisional institutions of self-government in Pristina on goods from central Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also highlighted the importance of the cooperation in keeping historical memory through joint commemorations of anniversaries, remembering of victims and construction and maintenance of memorials.
Serbian Assembly Deputy Speaker and Commission co-chair Veroljub Arsic said that the parliaments are doing all in their power to help deepen the brotherly and friendly relations which have always been the cornerstone of the cooperation between Serbia and the Republic of Srpska, adding that the Commission’s first session is testament to the interparliamentary relations’ entering a new, higher stage of intensification.
“It is our parliaments’ wish to foster ever stronger ties so that concrete steps taken by the legislative level follow the highest degree of closeness existing between our people. I am sure the results of today’s session will benefit the citizens of both the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska” said Arsic, adding that cooperation between the legislative institutions is an important segment of furthering and enriching the special relationship built under the auspices of the Agreement on Special Parallel Relations.
The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Milan Petkovic emphasized the importance of the cooperation between the parliaments of Serbia and the Republic of Srpska.
“The Republic of Srpska always viewed Serbia as its “mother” when it needed love and “older brother” when it needed protection. Serbia is our motherland and its support is very important to us”, said Petkovic. He said that the parliament of the Republic of Srpska is faced with different challenges, which is why Serbia’s parliamentary experience is invaluable for the operation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska.
On behalf of the Serbian Assembly the Commission meeting was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Vladimir Marinkovic, Chairperson of the Committee on the Economy, Regional Development, Trade, Tourism and Energy Snezana B. Petrovic, Chairperson of the Committee on Spatial Planning, Transport, Infrastructure and Telecommunications Katarina Rakic, Chairman of the Culture and Information Committee Mirko Krlic, Chairman of the Committee on the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region Miodrag Linta and the member of the Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Issues and the Committee on the Judiciary, Public Administration and Local Self-Government Nedjo Jovanovic.
On behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska the Commission meeting will be attended by the Chairperson of the Legislative Committee and member of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs Dusica Solaja, Chairman of the Committee on Political System, Justice And Administration Dragan Cavic, Chairman of the Committee for Economy and member of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs Maksim Skoko and the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture and Information and member of the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Policy Gordana Tesanovic.
The first session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia - National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Cooperation Commission was held based on the Memorandum on the establishment of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia - National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska Cooperation Commission of 2018 and the Protocol of Cooperation between the two assemblies of 2008.
