The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojkovic met today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname Yldiz Deborah Pollack-Beighle and took the opportunity to thank Suriname for the withdrawal of the recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija in abidance of the UN Charter and UNSC Resolution 1244.
Gojkovic stressed that this decision is a show of friendship and will definitely contribute to the relations and cooperation between Serbia and Suriname, pointing out the 40 years of traditionally good relations between the two states, established almost since the beginning of Suriname’s independence.
The National Assembly Speaker said that Serbia is committed to dialogue and finding a compromise solution going on to note that even now, five years since the Brussels Agreement was signed, Pristina has yet to establish the Community of Serb Municipalities. Gojkovic thanked Suriname for not voting against Serbia’s interests during so-called Kosovo’s UNESCO bid and mentioned the difficult situation in which the Serbian cultural heritage finds itself.
Gojkovic said that cooperation of legislative institutions is an important segment of bilateral relations and can help deepen and expand them and she invited the Speaker of the National Assembly of Suriname, Jennifer Simmons to visit Serbia which should be a big boost to the cooperation between the parliaments. Gojkovic also spoke about cooperation between the parliamentary working bodies, ones in charge of foreign affairs and other areas of common interest, in international parliamentary organizations such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname said that the two countries have set up a solid groundwork for cooperation and share a strong friendship and wish to advance relations across the board.
Speaking of Kosovo-Metohija, Pollack-Beighle said that Suriname believes it paramount to abide by UNSC resolutions, that conflicts should be dealt with peacefully and, though it does not interfere in internal affairs of other countries, endorses the dialogue.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname urged to expand parliamentary cooperation between the two countries stressing that the parliamentarians of Suriname are interested in strengthening cooperation between the committees in all areas of common interest such as for example agriculture, tourism and defence.
Gojkovic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Suriname also spoke about advancing economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fight against terrorism and other areas.
