H.E. Alexander Konuzin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation, presented National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic with the letter of congratulations from the Speaker of the Russian State Duma Sergey Naryshkin, on being elected to the post. The letter of congratulations expresses belief that the election of Nebojsa Stefanovic for National Assembly Speaker would contribute to the development of the traditionally friendly relations between the two parliaments, in the interest of the two countries and for the good of the people.

H.E. Ambassador Konuzin joined the congratulations deeming the existing relations between the Serbian Parliament and Russian Embassy in Belgrade excellent, as were the relations between the Members of Parliament, noting that the relations were in line with the tradition. Ambassador Konuzin suggested intensifying the real cooperation between the Serbian and Russian parliament and announced the visit of an official delegation of the State Duma in the upcoming period. The Ambassador of the Russian Federation emphasised the potential for cooperation between Serbian and Russian parliamentary delegations in the spheres of energy production, infrastructure and agriculture, as well as committees whose work means international activities, deeming the existing cooperation in the sphere very close.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Nebojsa Stefanovic thanked the Ambassador for the words of congratulation, noting that even though relations were close there was still room to further strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation. The Assembly Speaker expects a parliamentary friendship group with Russia to soon be formed again, sure that it would continue to be among the most numerous ones. Stefanovic also spoke about the plans to have the Parliament act toward strengthening economic cooperation as part of its international activities in the upcoming period.

The Assembly Speaker agreed that cooperation should be intensified, primarily in the sphere of energy potential, infrastructure and agriculture in particular. He also urged toward creating an ambient which would facilitate contact between entrepreneurs, as well as joint ventures onto third markets. Finally, Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic stressed how much he appreciated Russia and Russian Parliament’s principled position on the disputed issues regarding Kosovo-Metohija and abiding by the United National Security Council Resolution 1244.