Mr. McFarlane said that both parliaments have already boasted British-Serbian friendship groups in the past, which played a very significant role in their cooperation. He suggested that after the formation of such a group by the new legislature of the Serbian Parliament the cooperation should be expanded to include contacts and exchange of experiences between experts. He also stressed the special role of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in the further activities aimed at sharing experience with Serbian parliamentarians, particularly relating to the parliament’s control of the government’s work.

National Assembly Speaker MA Nebojsa Stefanovic thanked the Deputy Ambassador and agreed with the suggestion to expand the existing cooperation to include the proposed programmes. He emphasised that in the upcoming period he would insist on the Parliament’s further transparency toward the public, particularly as regards the committees’ work which will also play a more significant role in the control of the executive. Stefanovic also said that he would insist on equality in the parliament’s work not only as regards minority representatives, but also as regards the opposition. He believes that the Parliament’s role should be expanded to include stimulating economic cooperation in the international framework, within the National Assembly’s capacity.

Mr. McFarlane was particularly interested in the National Assembly Speaker’s announcement that he would, within his authority, insist on full disclosure and consensus as regards Kosovo-Metohija.

National Assembly Speaker MA Nebojsa Stefanovic explained that in the previous period, the Parliament played a minor role in many issues, including this one. In the upcoming period he would insist on full appraisal on the course of the negotiations and what had been agreed on, as well as the level, goals and schedule of the negotiations themselves. Speaker Stefanovic stressed that there would be no change in the attitude toward the assumed obligations stemming from the negotiations so far, adding that Serbia’s position was and would continue to be based on the Security Council Resolution 1244.