“The fact that this gathering is held in Belgrade is a singular recognition for Serbia, as a founder of the OSCE and state which consistently implements the basic postulates of the OSCE in the spheres of political-security, economy and human rights in practice”, said Djukic Dejanovic at the inaugural session.

“This is the biggest parliamentary gathering ever to have been held in Serbia. It is a pleasant coincidence that it is also an anniversary session – the 20th Annual Session which at the same time marks a new beginning for this eminent organisation and takes place at the exact moment as we take significant strides on our way toward full EU membership. The symbolism of the area which almost 35 years ago hosted the first meetings of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe between the end of 1977 and the beginning of 1978 following the signing of the Final Act in Helsinki, gives another celebratory note to this gathering.

Dear colleagues, I believe that in the upcoming days you will respond to the challenge contained in the very title of the session – how to achieve better results and efficiency expected from an organisation of this format in the modern world full of contradictions and crises. Therefore, it is my message and hope that the session in Belgrade will mark a truly new beginning for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly so that it might take central position in the OSCE family in the upcoming period and continue to be a strong and integrating factor in the development of cooperation”, stressed NARS Speaker Slavica Djukic Dejanovic.

The 20th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly under the theme of “Strengthening the OSCE’s Effectiveness and Efficiency – A new start after the Astana Summit” is being held in Belgrade from 6 to 10 July 2011. All the meetings are held at Sava Congress Centre which also hosted the 1977/78 annual session meetings which followed the realisation of the provisions of the Helsinki Act, adopted immediately before the session.