The delegation members talked to the members of the Joint Committee for European Integration of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Committee on Foreign and Trade Policy, Customs, Transportation and Communication of the House of Peoples, Group for Neighbour Countries and the members of the Collegium of the House of Peoples, as well as the head of the Directorate for European Integration.

Marinika Tepic, Chairperson of the of the National Assembly European Integration Committee, said that the two-year passive state has been followed by not only a new chapter but an intensification of the two partner committees’ cooperation. What has marked and given the underlying note to the existing cooperation is the fact that there is no paper – agreement of memorandum, which can replace dialogue between living people, especially parliamentarians, said Tepic.

She stressed that dialogue is the only way toward opening new chapters and intensifying cooperation and that words and direct communication are the tools that lift barriers. She said that they proposed conclusions to the colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina such as establishing regular communication and meetings between the committees at least once a year, and more often if needed. They also suggested organising a conference on cross-border cooperation and the possible use of IPA funds.

She said that Bosnia and Herzegovina should profit from the fact that Serbia is ahead of it as regards European integration, and ask for assistance from it and other states like it, just like Serbia used its neighbours’ experiences. She said that, in the spirit of solidarity, Serbia would assist its colleagues from Bosnia and Herzegovina, because looking to the future together is invaluable.

The Chair of the Joint Committee for European Integration of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina Nikola Lovrinovic said that, though a multitude of issues have been discussed with the Serbian delegation, the focus lied on the two countries’ European integration. Both delegations’ goal, he said, was to boost the involvement of parliamentarians in the process and have them follow all the coming processes awaiting both of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

The visit was organised with the support of the UNDP and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), via project Strengthening the Oversight Role and Transparency of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia – Phase Two.