At the beginning of the meeting, National Assembly Speaker Dr Nebojsa Stefanovic opined that the two countries’ overall relations are moving in a better direction. Speaking of parliamentary cooperation and contacts, Stefanovic mentioned his open and constructive meetings with the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Josip Leka, at the margins of regional initiatives. Stressing the need to deepen parliamentary cooperation, Stefanovic focused on parliamentary friendship groups and cooperation between committees, especially when it comes to sharing the experience of the Euro-integration process. Stefanovic emphasised the Parliament’s active role in the upcoming period.
The National Assembly Speaker highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation for overall regional stability, especially via developing economic relations, and shared his hope for a wider scope of Serbian investment into Croatia, emphasising the role of political relations in the creation of an entrepreneurial framework. Speaker Stefanovic commended the readiness for open dialogue on the disputed issues, adding he was worried about the recent incidents relating to the position of the Serbian national minority, and asking President Josipovic to use his personal influence to urge respect for national minority rights, as stipulated by the Croatian Constitution and laws. In that context, he pointed out the broad range of rights enjoyed by national minorities in Serbia.
Saying he was honoured and pleased to be visiting Serbia, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic agreed with the opinion that the two nations should turn to the future, noting that their shared history had both its difficult and happy moments.
Josipovic stressed that he shares the Speaker’s worries about the position of the Serbian community in Croatia, because of human rights and the Croatian society which is open and democratic, opining that the incident was caused by a loud but small group with a specific position in the Croatian society, and that the majority of Croatian citizens respect human rights and the Croatian Government is adamant that human rights must be observed.
Speaking of the open issues, Josipovic noted that some of them have been resolved, however, expediting the whole process calls for more political courage. He opined that the both sides’ interest, especially in the economic sphere, is the best guarantee for a successful development of future relations, underlining the regional framework of the economic cooperation.
The Croatian President emphasised the significance of the fight against international organised crime.
Josipovic also noted that cultural cooperation that takes the lead in Serbia and Croatia’s overall relations.