The National Assembly Speaker informed Ambassador Nielsen about the Parliament’s preparations for the beginning of the European Union talks. Speaker Stefanovic shared some examples of the experience of the negotiations process and the parliament’s role in it of countries in the region which are now European Union members. Declaring the parliament’s role in the process very significant, Stefanovic stressed that Serbia considers the talks more important than party interests, adding that the National Assembly is in the process of working out a cooperation strategy for the assembly committees.

Ambassador Nielsen shared Denmark’s positive experience in the negotiations process and, more importantly, explained the role of Denmark’s European Affairs Committee which issues mandates to the Government ministers for the talks in Brussels. Nielsen stressed that Denmark has a minority government which makes the issue especially important because the role of the parliament i.e. the competent committee is both expert and political.

The Danish Ambassador said that she was leaving Serbia after six years and commended the National Assembly Speaker’s approach to the parliament’s work which resulted in improving its reputation and credibility which have been low for years. Nielsen also noted that things were improving at the national level from the perspective of the time she spent in Serbia, but added that she believes that inertia among the youth is a problem. Speaking in that context, the Danish Ambassador announced the publication of a brochure, to be funded by her country, offering answers to the most important questions about Serbia’s Euro-integration. The brochure’s content and set-up should make it accessible to high-school and university students and the general public interested in the European Union and Serbia’s accession process.

Speaker Stefanovic agreed that the public needs to be kept better informed about the talks and the impact of the agreements and in that context mentioned the possible adoption of a new resolution on European integration, adding that the previous was adopted in 2004. Public debate on the issue and the very act of adoption would help keep the public better informed about the talks themselves and future priorities.