EFTA (European Free Trade Association) Parliamentary Committee comprising deputies of the four EFTA states – Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland, visited the National Assembly today.

The EFTA parliamentarians, headed by EFTA Parliamentary Committee Chairman Arni Thor Sigurdsson, talked in separate meetings to the representatives of the assembly committees on international economic relations, foreign affairs and European integrations.

The meeting with the members of the Committee on International Economic Relations focused on future relations and improvement of cooperation between Serbia and the four EFTA states. The EFTA parliamentarians were interested in Serbia’s relations with the IMF and EU countries, the measures implemented by Serbia to alleviate the impact of the economic crisis, regional economic integration and cooperation with neighbouring states.

Committee Chairman Milos Jevtic stressed that this is the EFTA Parliamentary Committee’s first official visit to Serbia after the Free Trade Agreement Serbia signed with the EFTA group came into force on 1 October this year. Cooperation with EFTA member states is very important for Serbia as EFTA is a market boasting 13 million potential consumers, and EFTA members are also significant investors in Serbia. In addition, the cooperation will boost the Serbian export products’ competitiveness on the world market and improve Serbia’s overall foreign goods exchange.

Jevtic stated that Serbia needs to work on improving its ambience in order to attract investment and that forwarding Serbia’s candidacy for EU entry is a very good signal for foreign investors.

EFTA Parliamentary Committee Chairman Arni Thor Sigurdsson pointed out the low level of trade cooperation between Serbia and EFTA states and deemed that the Free Trade Agreement should stimulate trade exchange and intensify Serbia and EFTA members’ trade effects.

Committee members Jorgovanka Tabakovic, Elvira Kovacs, Snezana Sedlar and Momo Colakovic took part in the meeting.

In the meeting with Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Prof. Dr Dragoljub Micunovic, the members of the EFTA Parliamentary Committee asked about Serbia’s activities regarding the approach to the European Union and the political situation in Serbia and the region.

The Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman informed them that the EU Council of Ministers’ decision on forwarding Serbia’s membership candidacy to the European Commission is an important moment for Serbia, adding that the speed of Serbia’s approach to the European Union would fully depend on it.

Micunovic pointed out that Serbia’s Eurointegration is endorsed by two thirds of the population and majority of political parties, and that the Government and the Parliament are pursuing a pro-European policy. He mentioned cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and fight against corruption and organised crime as possible difficulties on the European road.

Micunovic expressed belief that the Kosovo-Metohija issue would depend on the UN Security Council and its standing on Resolution 1244 pointing out that the dialogue between the Serbian authorities and current representatives of Kosovo authorities should commence soon so as to resolve the numerous disputed issues. He stressed that human rights are endangered in the province, particularly the rights of the Serbian minority, adding that the issues of Serbian property should be resolved and the cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija protected.

Micunovic said that relations with neighbouring countries and countries of the former common state have priority and that the past years have seen the improvement of not only economic but cultural and other types of cooperation as well.

Committee member Nikola Lazic also took part in the meeting.

Answering questions on the National Assembly’s role in Serbia’s approach to the European Union, European Integrations Committee Chairman Laszlo Varga said that the current National Assembly convocation has adopted about 400 laws, and that its activities are directed towards controlling the Government’s activities and strengthening parliamentary diplomacy. He stressed that the relations between the National Assembly and European Parliament have improved so that the EP Delegation for South East Europe and European Integrations Committee hold annual interparliamentary meetings, and the European Parliament created a Friendship Group with Serbia, comprising 30 members.

Varga said that gaining the status of EU candidate in 2011 and commencing talks with the EU is paramount for Serbia. He also pointed out the importance of the European Commission’s annual report on Serbia’s progress in the previous year.

The Committee members advocated the improvement of economic cooperation with the association, as well as strengthening bilateral political and economic relations with each of the EFTA member states. Incorporating European Union standards, applicable in various spheres, not only into their countries’ legal systems, but implementing them as well is a common goal.

The Serbian parliamentarians commended the cooperation with EFTA states, pointing out that Serbia’s long-term economic recovery is impossible without foreign investment and European funds inflow and declaring Serbia open to cooperation and investment.

Committee members Natasa Vuckovic, Jelena Trivan, Momir Markovic, Branko Ruzic and Jasmina Milosevic took part in the meeting.