The officials spoke of the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries and the important role they played in the defence of European values during World War I.

Aleksandar Martinovic said that Serbia is committed to EU accession and the base tenets the Union is based on such as the rule of law, human rights and freedoms, economic development and a high level of social protection. Martinovic said that the EU is the most important economic partner and investor in Serbia, stating that Serbia already naturally belongs to the European Union even though it is still formally not its member. “We appreciate the investments and are grateful for any new job created”, said Martinovic adding that “more than 150,000 new jobs had been created in Serbia in the last three years”.

The Head of the Serbian Progressive Party Parliamentary Group said that Serbia strives to preserve its national interests in a turbulent world and maintain good relations both with the EU states and the Russian Federation and China. Serbia is also dedicated to the maintenance of good-neighbourly relations with the states in the Western Balkans, stressed Martinovic. He added that Serbia is committed to the dialogue with the provisional government in Pristina and underlined the importance of implementing the Brussels Agreement. Seeing how still, full four years since it was signed, the Community of Serb Municipalities has still not been set up, which is of paramount importance for the survival of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija, Martinovic asked for support for this most vital part of the Brussels Agreement.

The Chair of the Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee Dr Vladimir Orlic said that the Serbian people are clearly in favour of EU accession and this support grows with every piece of positive news from the EU such as the opening of negotiation chapters. Orlic thanked France for the considerable support it offers Serbia on its path to EU integration.

The member of the French Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee Olivier Cadic underlined the importance of the support for Serbia and all the countries interested into becoming EU member states and of preserving European values.