The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic talked today to the Serbian Government’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Science and Technological Development, Bozidar Djelic about the priorities and future cooperation of the National Assembly and the Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Djelic stressed that, in order to achieve the status of candidate for European Union membership and abolition of visas by the end of 2008, it is necessary that the National Assembly of Serbia adopt the 49 bills which will align the Serbian legal system with EU law. Djelic announced that, in September, the Government will propose to the National Assembly a national programme for Serbia’s ascension into the European Union.

Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic pointed out the importance of cooperation of the legislative and executive branch of government stating her belief that it will contribute to more efficient work of the parliament. During the conversation, it was also stressed that the process of Eurointegration should be treated as an instrument of social politics among the priorities of NARS’s legislative activities and the RS Government’s activities.

The Speaker stressed that she will schedule an extraordinary sitting immediately after receiving the 13 bills withdrawn from Assembly procedure. In addition, it is necessary to pass a Law on the National Assembly which should enable the strengthening of the parliament’s capacities for conducting business concerning European integrations, as well as a new law on SASA.

Having completed their talk, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic and Deputy Prime Minister Djelic held a press conference.