The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Dr Vladimir Orlic met today with a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces of the Senate of the Republic of France, headed by the Committee Deputy Chairman Olivier Cigolotti. The officials declared the bilateral relations between the two countries traditionally close and in constant progress, primarily thanks to intensive political dialogue at all levels.
Cigolotti said that the aim of the French Senate delegation’s visit is to further strengthen the friendly ties between the two parliaments and their working bodies and committees. He confirmed that Serbia can count on support for full membership in the International Organisation of La Francophonie and took the opportunity to praise the results our country had achieved in the numerous reforms conducted within the framework of European integration, encouraging their implementation in order to speed up the accession process.
Dr Orlic praised the successes the two countries are recording in the field of economy, emphasising the importance of the numerous capital projects Serbia is implementing with French partners. He informed the members of the French Senate delegation about the daily violation of the basic human rights of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija by Pristina, endangering their basic security, declaring this attitude towards the Serbian people unimaginable in 21st century Europe. He pointed out that in recent weeks, Pristina has been intensifying dangerous moves and trying to provoke an escalation in order to avoid the formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. "Last year, 150 ethnically motivated attacks on Serbs were recorded in Kosovo-Metohija, since the beginning of this year there have already been more than 30. While our people are arrested without proving guilt or providing evidence, and sentenced to prison terms for verbal offense, villains shoot at our children and are released to their homes. We are practically the only ones fighting for dialogue, implementing the state policy of the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vucic, which means a serious and responsible attitude, preserving peace and stability for everyone. This is the only way can we create new results in the economy, infrastructure and in all other areas," said the National Assembly Speaker.
In the course of the meeting, the officials also discussed Serbia's European path, parliamentary life and cooperation, as well as the activities of the two national assemblies’ friendship groups.
