Ambassador Lopandic stressed that though Serbia is “at the doorstep” of a transforming entity, EU membership is very significant and important for Serbia. Every EU enlargement has had a comprehensive and positive impact on less developed countries and prompted said countries’ modernisation. The Ambassador presented the EU today from Serbia’s point of view as membership candidate, as well as the bilateral relations with the EU with a special focus on the European Commission’s upcoming progress report on Serbia expected on 16 April and the European Council’s decision on the start date for EU talks, expected on 28 June. In addition to this, he also pointed out several important issues for Serbia at the moment such as preserving the visa liberalization, implementation of IPA programmes in Serbia both as regards the non-refundable funds and the European Investment Bank loans, and participation in EU peace mission.
The Committee members went on to discuss the Bill on Conclusion and Implementation of International Treaties, in detail. The MPs had submitted 25 amendments to the Bill. Considering that the Government’s opinion had not arrived before the beginning of the Committee sitting, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the Committee on the proposal the Ministry had sent to the Government so it could vote on each amendment. The Ministry had proposed that the Government accept eight of the MPs’ amendments, while the Committee decided to accept nine of the amendments. The Committee also submitted an amendment of its own to article 20 of the Bill.
The Committee members gave consent to the visits by foreign delegations to the National Assembly, noted the activities of the standing delegations in the upcoming period and accepted reports on visits and contacts realised.
The Committee members accepted the initiative to constitute parliamentary friendship groups with the Denmark, the Gulf States and Latvia and amended and modified the membership of the already formed parliamentary friendship groups.

The sitting was chaired by Milos Aligrudic, Committee Chairman.