National Assembly Deputy Speaker Veroljub Arsic met today at the National Assembly with Christian Haase, member of the German Bundestag, to discuss interparliamentary cooperation, Serbia’s European integration and the current global political situation.
Deputy Speaker Arsic said he was pleased by the dynamic cooperation between the National Assembly and Bundestag, emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy.
Arsic stressed the importance of economic cooperation, especially investments. He thanked Germany for its continued support of Serbia’s European integration, stressing that the chief problem is the outstanding issue of the Southern province of Kosovo-Metohija. He said that Pristina’s unilateral moves have halted the dialogue between Belgrade and the Pristina administration, adding that the UN Security Council had a session about Kosovo-Metohija the previous day due to the deteriorating security and political situation in the region, where Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic outlined the dangers stemming from Pristina’s violations of international law, first and foremost the establishment of the so-called Kosovo Army and the imposition of 100% customs tax on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Arsic said that Serbia expects Germany’s support to defuse tensions and return to dialogue. He went on to say that Serbia expects the international community and the EU to make sure the agreements are put into action, stating that Serbia has kept up its end of the deal while Pristina has not fulfilled the one obligation it had - establishment the Community of Serb Municipalities.
Deputy Speaker Arsic said that Serbia will continue to pursue the policy of avoiding conflicts and maintaining peace, and he expects the international community and the EU to help Serbia and pressure Pristina to return to the negotiating table.
Bundestag member Christian Haase said that Germany and the EU follow the developments in the region and conflict and a deterioration of the political situation are not in Europe’s interest. Germany will try to help defuse the tensions, said Haase adding that all the problems should be resolved by diplomatic means, and that it is vital to come to a compromise solution.
The officials also spoke about global and regional political processes, and the problems and dangers of terrorism and political extremism. Arsic and Haase agreed that the international community should lead a concerted action against these global threats and spread pro-European spirit among the citizens to defeat political extremism.
