Chairman of the European Integrations Committee, Milos Jevtic and Committee members met today at the National Assembly House with the Minister of European Affairs of Bulgaria, Gergana Grancharova. The delegation also included Committee members Dusan Bajatovic, Natasa Vuckovic, Gordana Comic, Branislav Nedmovic and Dejan Mirovic.

Minister Grancharova stated that Bulgaria supports Serbia’s joining the European Union and is ready to offer help and share its experience from that period. She stressed the importance of initialling the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union adding that 2008 will be of key significance for Serbia on her way to the European Union.

The Bulgarian Minister expressed her belief that the Agreement will be signed as soon as January next year, and that by the end of the year Serbia will gain the status of candidate for membership in the European Union after which it will be allowed the use of EU funds for economic development.

Chairman Jevtic emphasised the existence of a political consensus in Serbia on the need to join the European Union, but that it is necessary to better inform the public on the advantages it brings and European values. He also pointed out the important role of this Assembly body, the need to pass a Bill on the National Assembly and change the Rules of Procedure in order to enable the expedient adoption of so-called “European“ laws.

The Bulgarian Minister pointed out the importance of cross-border cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of infrastructure, adding that several projects have already been prepared at the Ministry of Regional Development.