Taking part in the debate, deputy Aleksandar Cotric, member of the delegation, said: “Serbia strives to find a compromise solution for Kosovo by diplomatic and political means, in spite of the other side’s attempts to achieve its maximalist and exclusive goals. We are sure that further recognitions of Kosovo would have a domino effect throughout Europe and encourage separatist and secessionist movements which could jeopardize peace and security in the Balkans and other areas, including the states of the European Union”, said Aleksandar Cotric, head of the Serbian Assembly’s delegation, at the 18th Annual Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, held in Paris from 21 to 24 June 2011, with the topic “Religious values in the reality of the economic crisis”.

“Serbia is very appreciative of the consistent and principled position of two thirds of United Nations member states who did not recognise the encroachment on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of one of its members. We are particularly grateful to the states which abide by international law at the Security Council and other UN bodies and do not recognise the creation of a new state that has never before existed and is trying to form on the territory of Serbia, an old European state”, said Aleksandar Cotric, addressing the parliament members of 23 European, Asian and African states.

“The Russian Federation and China, as permanent members of the Security Council, oppose the intent to legalise the physical and legal violation of Serbia at the United Nations, a state which, as Yugoslavia’s legal heir, was among the few founders of this world organisation in 1945. We are also very grateful to the countries of the European Union – Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Romania and Slovakia which have despite all political and economic pressures refused to recognise the so-called state of Kosovo and seizure of 15% of Serbia’s territory”, said Cotric in Paris at the international gathering of MPs from Russia, Greece, Cyprus, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon, Jordan, Latvia, Estonia and other states with an orthodox population.

“These times of economic crisis call for unity and dialogue, both between the government and the citizens, and between religious and political leaders. Europe in crisis has to preserve all the ethical values it was founded on and successfully defend itself from any type of extremism.
“In the times of crisis we must not allow fear, extremism, xenophobia or chauvinism to prevail”, stressed Cotric.

He stressed that “Europe must defend its values as well as its responsibility to the citizens.
“Our basic idea is to unite our efforts on the economic plane and the area of social justice.

Accountability mechanisms should be strengthened, with a particular focus on ethical responsibility in financial and economic activities. The time and problems we face increase the need for dialogue both between the European countries and their citizens and between political and religious leaders”, said deputy Cotric at the Annual Session of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy held in Paris.
Deputy Ognjen Mihailovic was also part of the delegation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.