In the course of the 124^th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Panama, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic met separately with the Polish, Romanian and Dutch parliamentary delegation heads.

The NARS Speaker thanked the Polish, Romanian and Dutch representatives for their support of Serbia’s approach to the EU and appealed to the representatives of these countries that their respective parliaments ratify the Association and Stabilisation Agreement with Serbia as soon as possible. The Speaker reminded them that 17 EU member states have ratified the SAA so far, as has the European Parliament itself.

In the meeting, the Dutch side again stressed the importance of full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal for the consideration of Serbia’s EU candidacy. “I am sure that this Government, this parliamentary majority, as well as all the citizens of Serbia want full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal more than those who do not live in Serbia”, said Djukic-Dejanovic, adding that she expects Hague Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz to confirm the existence of full cooperation in his next report. The Dutch parliament members stressed that without full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and positive opinion in the Brammertz report Serbia can hardly expect further steps toward the EU.

In a cordial meeting, the representatives of the three countries noted that things we have in common far outnumber those that keep us apart. They agreed that it is necessary to further parliamentary cooperation on all levels as a way of stimulating overall relations between Serbia and these three countries.

The NARS Speaker was particularly pleased that the meetings provided the opportunity the have a comprehensive and friendly talk on these issues, adding that such contacts should be continued.

NARS Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic and deputies Zeljko Tomic and Nemanja Sarovic took part in the 124^th IPU Assembly in Panama with the topic Parliamentary accountability: living up to people’s expectations, as part of the NARS standing delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union.