PFG Head Sandra Bozic highlighted the traditionally good cooperation between the two countries, opining that additional efforts are needed to further improve and enhance the two countries’ long-standing friendship.

"The National Assembly’s commitment to this is evidenced in the fact that the PFG with the UK has 75 members, which is the absolute maximum so far," Bozic stressed.

She also took the opportunity to thank the UK, on behalf of the citizens of Serbia, for offering support in the immunisation process by extending a hand of friendship at a very difficult time for both Serbia and the whole world and donating 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines.

The Ambassador gave a presentation of the historical and geographical aspects of the UK, the country’s state organisation and strategic goal. She emphasised the importance the UK attaches to strategic economic cooperation, as well as the fight against the pandemic and against climate change. Speaking about the importance of environmental protection, the Ambassador said that the UK had increased its GDP by introducing renewable energy sources and announced the UN Conference on Climate Change, to be held in November in Glasgow, in cooperation with Italy. She applauded Serbia’s efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources, in order to protect the environment.

The Ambassador expressed hope that the cooperation between the two countries would be deepened at all levels and that parliamentary cooperation would play a significant role in these processes.

Ms. MacLeod stressed that bilateral relations between the UK and Serbia are at a high level, adding that through all of its aspects are equally important, special attention should certainly be paid to cultural exchange, citing as best practice example this year's concert of the Ministry of Defence "Stanislav Binicki" orchestra and the Countess of Wessex’s String Orchestra. She also pointed out that British companies are interested in infrastructure projects in Serbia, especially in the field of investments and international trade.

The Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Dr Vladimir Orlic also took part in the meeting, stressing that the composition of the PFG with the UK sends the message that the National Assembly is very interested in cooperation, open communication and joint work on some potential projects.

"Our state policy covers several key words, one of the most important of them certainly being economic cooperation, that is investments. When you look at the foundations of the state policy as laid out by President Aleksandar Vucic, you will see that investments are of crucial importance for us and that we are especially proud of the fact that we treat this issue and need, with the risk of sounding immodest, as champions. Today, Serbia is the absolute champion in this part of Europe in terms of attracting foreign investments," the National Assembly Deputy Speaker concluded.

PFG member Snezana Paunovic highlighted the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, stressing that even though, as she said, we do not always agree, the friendship between the two countries persists.

The National Assembly Deputy Speaker and PFG member Academician Muamer Zukorlic pointed out that scientific cooperation should be strengthened, primarily through cultural exchange and emphasised that Serbia could also learn a lot from the UK about the culture of dialogue, at all social levels.