On the other hand, the officials agreed that the scope of parliamentary and all other types of cooperation, including economic cooperation, could be more extensive and substantial.
The Madam Ambassador of Australia added that parliamentary friendship groups help the development of bilateral relations, noting that there were few exchanges of delegations in the previous period. Both mentioned that the existence of a common initiative to organise video conferences, thanks to modern technology.
They particularly focused on the fact that Australia boasts a large Serbian community which, according to Ambassador Studdert, has kept its culture, customs and language.
They agreed that the Serbian community in Australia can serve as a bridge of cooperation in all spheres.
National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic said that international cooperation is one of the Parliaments’ most important areas of work. He drew attention to the fact that the current parliamentary legislature boasts a great many MPs who have entered the National Assembly for the first time, so all and any assistance in gaining experience, including that offered by Australian colleagues, would be invaluable.
Speaker Stefanovic informed Ambassador Studdert about the bills on the agenda for the current parliament session with a special focus on the bills related to the budget, VAT increase and abolition of government agencies which, opined Stefanovic, served primarily for employment.
The National Assembly Speaker was particularly interested in the potentials for cooperation and joint programmes in the sphere of human rights i.e. rights of the child, informing Ms. Studdert that the current assembly legislature has a relevant committee which he chairs.
Ambassador Studdert expressed readiness to cooperate in the sphere.