Delegations of the Foreign Affairs and European Integrations Committees headed by the Chairmen of these Committees Prof. Dr Dragoljub Micunovic and Laszlo Varga, had separate meetings today at the National Assembly House with a delegation of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Safety of the Senate of the Czech Republic headed by Committee Chairman Jiri Dienstbier.

Chairman Dienstbier was particularly interested in the continuation of Serbia’s negotiations with the European Union regarding the Stabilisation and Association Agreement stressing that all the political parties in the Czech Parliament support Serbia’s European road.

The Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Micunovic said that Serbia had expected that the SAA between Serbia and the EU would be ratified during the Czech chairmanship of the European Union, but that the process was blocked due to Holland’s demand for Serbia’s full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, a request which, he believes, lacks arguments. Conditioning the continuation of Serbia’s approach to the EU by the fulfillment of remaining obligations toward the tribunal, disregards the democratic processes in Serbia, Micunovic said stressing that for the majority of Serbian citizens the EU is the most acceptable option, but that the persistent blockage and postponements of the process make the EU seem like a mirage, “the closer you get, the further it is”.

Micunovic stated that Serbia has done all necessary for the abolishment of the visa regime for its citizens’ travels abroad, and that it is expecting the EU’s response to this as well as the request to submit candidacy for EU membership. The statements of EU officials so far leave the impression that the EU is exerting indirect pressure onto Serbia to “normalize” its relations with Kosovo-Metohija which has illegally declared independence. The Serbian Parliament and Government do not recognize the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija, and are determined to have the issue resolved in the field of international law. This testifies of Serbia’s responsibility for the safety in the region, Micunovic emphasized.

Chairman Dienstbier agreed with Dr Micunovic’s estimate stating that under the excuse of incomplete cooperation with the Hague the EU ”is holding a whole nation in its fist” and that the unequal attitude towards the nations in the region represents a stark violation of international law. He said that the Czech parliament and the President of the Republic, as well as the Czech people have opposed the recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija. Dienstibier stated that issuing Serbian passports to Kosovo Albanians is the possible source of fear in the Czech Republic and some other countries of the spread of Albanian mafia.

The officials emphasised that Serbian and Czech peoples have shared good relations through history which should continue to prosper through cooperation and exchange of experiences in education, science, culture and other fields. The delegation comprised deputies Nada Kolundzija, Natasa Vuckovic, Momir Markovic, Vlajko Senic, Zeljko Ivanji and Balint Pasztor.

European Integrations Committee Chairman Laszlo Varga briefed the Czech parliamentarians on the National Assembly’s legislative activities aimed at harmonizing a large number of domestic laws with European Union legislation. By the end of May the current National Assembly convocation will have adopted about 170 legal acts.

The Committee Chairman said that all the laws necessary for visa liberalisation with the European Union have been adopted, and the liberalisation is expected by the end of the year. “The EU is tired of expanding, and Serbia is tired of waiting”, Laszlo Varga said. He believes that Serbia will be able to take a large step towards accession only when the EU reaches a political consensus on Serbia’s cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.

The Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Safety of the Senate of the Czech Republic Jiri Dienstbier repeated that the Czech Republic supports Serbia’s EU road and pledged to further strengthen inter-parliamentary and all other types of cooperation.

Deputy Momir Markovic was also part of the delegation.

During the day, the Czech Parliamentarians met with the members of the Committee on Defence and Security and the members of the Serbia-Czech Republic friendship group.