The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, received Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, in official visit to Serbia. The meeting was also attended by Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan.

Djukic-Dejanovic expressed her pleasure at meeting the President of Armenia and delegation, noting the excellent and friendly political relations between Serbia and Armenia and the two nations’ centuries-old tradition of cooperation. “The level of relations between Serbia and Armenia provides excellent grounds for the improvement of the two countries’ parliamentary cooperation. I believe that there is ample room for it, since it can be a positive influence on the further development of relations between our two countries”, said the Speaker.

Serbia’s intention to become a full member of the EU as well as Armenia’s interest in cooperation with the EU, open up room to intensify meetings between the two parliaments’ relevant committees, stressed Djukic-Dejanovic and asked the Armenian President to relay an invitation to the Armenian Parliament Speaker to visit Serbia so as to discuss the various types of cooperation between the two parliaments. “I am particularly pleased that the Armenian Parliament created a Friendship Group with Serbia as far back as 2005 and I shall initiate the formation of the same group at the NARS as soon as possible”, said the Serbian Parliament Speaker. “It is our duty to establish stronger relations”, said Sargsyan, adding that parliamentarians as representatives of the executive government whose relations must be intensified, have no limits on their communication and cooperation.

The NARS Speaker thanked the Armenian government and people for the exceptionally principled attitude regarding the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija and support of Serbia’s attempts to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty within the borders recognised by the UN. Sargsyan said that Armenia would not change its position on Kosovo-Metohija and would never do anything contrary to Serbia’s interest.