The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, is currently in official visit to the Republic of Macedonia at the invitation of Trajko Veljanovski, Sobranje Speaker.

In their meeting this morning, the two parliament speakers discussed specific steps to improve interparliamentary cooperation, particularly on the level of committees, as well as friendship groups. The NARS Speaker expressed pleasure at the repeat visit, declaring frequent meetings welcome and very useful from the aspect of parliamentary cooperation development.

Veljanovski said: “We sincerely believe that friendly dialogue can resolve all open issues.”

Djukic-Dejanovic pointed out that the two sides agree on more issues then they disagree on. The parliaments should make use of this potential.

Talking about Euro-integration, Veljanovski expressed pleasure that both the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia had gained visa liberalisation, a very important fact for their citizens. He also applauded the beginning of the SAA ratification for Serbia. Veljanovski proposed that Macedonia and Serbia apply jointly for regional projects thus drawing some of the EU’s pre-accession funds. Both sides praised the creation of the Mixed Commission with Radenkovic from the Serbian and Todorovski from the Macedonian side, but stressed that they should commence work soon in order to implement the Treaty on Minorities which would improve the lives of Serbs in Macedonia and Macedonians in Serbia.

Djukic-Dejanovic highlighted the particular interest in cooperation and support in the EU integration process, adding that the decision on the commencement of the SAA ratification process is significant for Serbia as its full implementation will open up room for Serbia’s economic cooperation with EU countries. “In order to fulfill Serbia’s obligations towards full EU membership, I wish to inform you that the NARS had adopted 450 laws and more than 100 other documents”, stressed the Serbian Parliament Speaker.

The officials agreed that economic cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia is developing well, which is natural considering not only their geographic proximity, but also their needs of two countries in transition. “However, there is still room for improvement in this sphere”, said the Speaker.

Both sides noted that the two countries’ bilateral cooperation is good, particularly in the spheres of defense and culture. In view of this, the NARS Speaker expressed Serbia’s belief that the process of conservation of cultural and historic monuments should be accelerated, particularly in the case of Zebrnjak memorial. The Speaker believes that the memorial should be restored by 2010, the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Kumanovo.

The members of the friendship group informed the NARS Speaker on their activities, emphasising the declaration of the Serbian state holiday, the foundation of the Agency for the Protection of Human and Minority Rights, as well as the adoption of the Law on the Protection of Human and Minority Rights. The Speaker applauded the fact that, in May this year, the municipalities Kumanovo and Staro Nagoricane introduced Serbian as an official language, as the result of the friendship group members’ efforts on the behalf of Serbs in Macedonia.