Deputy Speaker Arsic said that Serbia would continue its cooperation with NATO through the Partnership for Peace programme to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Talking to the NATO PA delegation comprised of representatives from the Netherlands, Turkey, Bulgaria, Latvia, Hungary, Germany, Romania, Slovenia, France and Montenegro, as well as the representatives of associate member Bosnia and Herzegovina, he highlighted the National Assembly delegation’s successful cooperation within the NATO PA and its active contribution to the operation of the organization.

“Serbia’s EU accession is supported by 225 out of 230 MPs, which means an overwhelming majority for the harmonization of the national legislation with the EU acquis”, said Arsic stressing that the majority of the national legislation has already been harmonized and that by the end of 2018 Serbia would legislatively speaking be ready to join the EU.

Deputy Speaker Arsic then presented the current macroeconomic trends in Serbia from the aspect of its role in the Western Balkan region.

“We have achieved the biggest growth in the last seven years and expect a 3.5% GDP growth in the years to come, which will, accompanied by a reduced budget deficit, reform of the public sector and strengthening of the private sector, improve the investment environment in the country”, said Arsic.

The meeting, also attended by the National Assembly’s standing delegation to NATO PA, touched on the recent presidential election in Serbia, constitutional reform necessary for the harmonization with EU regulations, continued cooperation within the Partnership for Peace programme, initiative to establish a customs union in the region and the citizens’ attitude to NATO.