At the sitting held on 29 January, the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee conducted an interview with the newly appointed Ambassadors of Serbia to the Holy See, Dr Vladeta Jankovic, and the Kingdom of Belgium, Radomir Diklic. The sitting was chaired by Dr Dragoljub Micunovic.

Expounding his plan of future activities, Ambassador Jankovic stressed that there are no unresolved issues in Serbia’s relations with the Vatican, thanks to the Serbian Embassy’s efficient and constructive work in the previous period, adding that he shall endevour to establish continuity with their efforts so far.

Ambassador Jankovic emphasised that the Vatican did not speak in favour of Kosovo and Metohia independence, but in favour of a compromise solution instead that would satisfy the interests of all parties. Therefore, in his future activities he shall endevour to do all in his power to keep the Vatican’s favourable or at least neutral position in the solution of the issue. In his opinion, it is extremely important that the Holy See does not acknowledge a unilateral proclamation of Kosovo and Metohia independence and “uses its enormous influence to have as few countries acknowledge it as late as possible”.

In addition, Ambassador Jankovic pointed out that the Vatican’s clearly expressed reserves towards the Hague Tribunal are very important for Serbia’s state interests and can be useful. Among the potentially open issues, Jankovic listed the issue of the Pope’s visit to Serbia and the conclusion of an interstate agreement.

The new Ambassador to Belgium, Radomir Diklic, stressed that the relations between Serbia and Belgium are not satisfactory because they are burdened by the issues of resolving the future status of Kosovo and Metohia and Serbia’s approach to the European Union. He stated that for a long time Belgium supported a compromise solution of the status of Kosovo and Metohia, but since it was not reached, it took the position that the application of Ahtisaari’s plan is the best solution. As one of the founding countries of the European Union, Belgium supported its foreign policy consistently, so it will follow it in this issue as well.

Ambassador Diklic pointed out that in the case of Serbia’s accession to the European Union, Belgium supports the Netherlands’ position that without a full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal Serbia cannot sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. He also said that there is plenty of room for an increase of commodities exchange with Belgium, considering that its economy is one of the most open in the world and that many multinational companies have their headquarters there.

Chairman Micunovic informed the Committee members about visit initiatives among others an invitation for the National Assembly’s participation in the Assembly of Western European Union Colloquy, held in Ljubljana on 4 and 5 March, titled “2008 – a decisive year for the Western Balkans”, as well as the 68^th Rose-Roth Seminar organised by the NATO PA, that will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 6 to 8 March. In addition, from 21 to 25 April, the National Assembly will receive a visit by the Chairman of the NATO PA Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security and the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Future Security and Defence Capabilities of the NATO PA Committee on Defence and Security.