THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH OF THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN ITS ENTIRETY:

“Dear students,

Welcome to the National Assembly. It is a real pleasure to greet you as the first to visit the National Assembly House after such a long time and get acquainted not only with its great cultural heritage, but with our parliamentary work as well.

Unfortunately, for almost two years, there have been no organised tours or educational visits here in the National Assembly, due to strict epidemiological measures. Now the situation is better, we are reopening our doors and you have the honour to be the first to visit the National Assembly after the break.

It is no coincidence that it is you, pupils and students, because we want to see as many young people as possible come to the National Assembly and feel that it is their institution, that it is not above anyone, but that it belongs to everyone equally, especially young people. I am glad that during today's visit you will have a small simulation of our parliamentary work, because in addition to having fun, it will be your direct encounter with democracy which you should also participate in.

Our and your National Assembly House is the greatest symbol of our democratic order. It is not only the most beautiful and largest palace in the centre of Belgrade, it is also the place where the most important decisions in the last 80-90 years of our history have been made. This House has also hosted meetings of global importance, such as the founding conference of the Non-Aligned Movement whose 60th anniversary we recently celebrated attended by guests from all over the world.

The National Assembly is also a treasure trove of selected works of our greatest painters, sculptors, architects, which you will see in our halls and on the walls of the Assembly chambers. The whole history of our people is under this roof, from the time of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the period of socialism as well as from more recent days.

I want you to enjoy the tour, be active when you take on the role of MPs, discuss and suggest everything you might think could be useful for you, young people, and feel at home, because the National Assembly is the house of all of us who live in Serbia.

Thank you for being here today and I hope that you will come again to take another tour or maybe as MPs!

Welcome!”