The Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the UK, Branko Ruzic said that the MPs’ are very interested in the relations with the UK, both at the political level and as regards economic, cultural and security cooperation, which is evidenced in the size of the Parliamentary Friendship Group. Ruzic emphasised the importance of interparliamentary cooperation which is at a very high level in view of the fact that the National Assembly had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

UK Ambassador to Serbia Denis Keefe briefed the MPs on the current political situation in the UK, following the parliamentary elections on 8 May, UK’s foreign policy priorities and its relationship with the EU.

The officials also discussed Serbia’s European integration. Branko Ruzic said that the National Assembly has reached consensus concerning Serbia’s EU accession, while Ambassador Keefe opined that Serbia has made considerable progress on its road to the European Union, adding that the UK wishes to see a reformed Serbia in a reformed European Union. Serbia is also an important factor of regional stability and cooperation, stressed the UK Ambassador.

In the meeting, the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the UK emphasised the importance of parliamentary diplomacy for the European integration process and the significance of the cooperation with the UK Parliament. They also spoke about furthering educational, medical, cultural and sporting cooperation.

The meeting was attended by PFG members Irena Aleksic, Dr Dijana Vukomanovic, Vladimir Djukanovic, Enis Imamovic, Dragan Jovanovic, Ljiljana Malusic, Vesna Marjanovic, MA Dejan Radenkovic, Dr Aleksandar Radojevic, Goran Ciric, Dr Sulejman Ugljanin, Milorad Cvetanovic, Djordje Cabarkapa, Dr Aleksandra Tomic, Branka Bosnjak and Aida Corovic.