The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Dr Dragoljub Micunovic, received today at the National Assembly House the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski.

Saryusz-Wolski stressed that the goal of his visit is to gain insight into the political situation in Serbia on the eve of the extraordinary parliamentary elections, and its plans concerning approaching the European Union and European integrations.

He said that the European Union strives for a rapid acceptance of ex-Yugoslavian countries and is ready to sign the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia, as soon as the existing obstacles are overcome. Therefore the Serbian authorities must decide whether they are in favour of the rapid road to the EU or not. He also added that the EU is ready to help the liberalisation of the visa regime and continue supplying financial aid, as well as support the development of civil society in Serbia.

Saryusz-Wolski stated that although the EU does not have a unified position on the issue of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence, leaving the decision up to its member countries, it considers itself responsible for the stability and security in this region and with this goal in mind it will send an EULEX mission there.

The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Micunovic, stressed that Serbia’s future lies in European integrations, but also that its joining is slowed down, foremost, by the conditional cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, followed by the unilateral illegal declaration of independent Kosovo and its being recognized by some member countries of the EU. According to him that was a blow to the democratic powers and public opinion in Serbia, because analyses show that about 75% of the citizens are in favour of Serbia joining the European Union.

The Committee Chairman pointed out that the status of Kosovo and Metohia must be determined in the UN Security Council in order to have international legal legitimation, adding that in the upcoming period the modalities of life in the Province will have to be discussed so as to, first of all, preclude conflict between Albanians and Serbs.

Micunovic expressed his expectation that the European option will win the upcoming parliamentary elections “because we have no right to bring the quality of people’s lives into question and postpone the future”, and that the negotiations with the EU will also be continued.