The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, received today the Czech and Swedish ambassadors to Serbia Hana Hubackova and Krister Bringeus, as well as the Delegation of the European Commission to Serbia representative Tomas Njoki.

Addressing the Ambassadors of the current and future European Union Chair, the National Assembly Speaker stressed that the upcoming period is exceptionally important for Serbia, having in mind that joining the EU is one of its most important foreign policy goals.

Assembly Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic stated that the National Assembly’s legislative activity forms the basis of all the significant reforms in Serbian society and emphasised the Parliament’s important role in the preparation for Serbia’s accession to the EU and afterwards. She said that the new convocation of the National Assembly adopted the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and about 50 so-called pro-European laws, adding that it will pass the Act on the Assembly and the new Rules of Procedure in February.

The Czech and Swedish ambassadors stressed that the efficient functioning of the parliament is one of the conditions for Serbia’s speedy accession to the European Union, considering the large number of laws that need to be harmonised with EU legislature.

Czech Ambassador Hana Hubackova stressed that her country’s priorities during its chairmanship of the European Union have somewhat changed due to the Near East conflict and the gas problems, but that the accession of Western Balkan countries definitely remains among the priorities. She also pointed out the importance of a timely and clear briefing of the public on the goals which the accession to the EU intends to achieve. The Swedish Ambassador repeated that during his country’s chairmanship of the EU, Serbia’s joining the EU will rank high on the priority list, adding that the Serbian delegation will discuss the political conditions with the “European Troika” ministers soon.

Assembly Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic wished the Czech and Swedish ambassadors success in chairing the EU and expressed her belief that, this year, Serbia will achieve the expected progress in its accession to the EU.