The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, is currently is a one-day visit to Ukraine. Following her arrival in Kiev, the NARS Speaker laid a wreath at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier. Afterwards, she was received by the Speaker of the Ukrainian Supreme Rada Vladimir Mikhailovich Lytvyn. The officials agreed that both sides were interested in furthering parliamentary cooperation so that it would reach the level of the existing political relations between the two countries. “I believe I share your opinion if I say that cooperation between our respective parliaments should be developed as soon as possible, both via the foreign affairs and European integration committees and friendship groups”, said the Assembly Speaker.

Lytvyn said that Serbia is Ukraine’s key partner in the Balkans and that the visit represents a step forward in improving bilateral relations. Djukic-Dejanovic and Lytvyn signed an inter-parliamentary agreement which will, according to Lytvyn, raise the two countries’ parliamentary cooperation onto a higher level.

The Speaker of the Ukrainian Supreme Rada reiterated that Ukraine’s attitude regarding the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo would not change, adding that he expects that the ruling of the International Court of Justice in The Hague will lead to reopening negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina. Djukic-Dejanovic stated that Serbia is grateful for Ukraine’s principled position regarding its territorial integrity and sovereignty and with it defense of the principle of international law and UN Charter. The Assembly Speaker stressed: “The splitting of sovereign UN member states by unilateral will using blunt force represents a return to a time when force was the only law in international relations. And the acceptance of such an attitude pushes the international community into chaos, lawlessness and rule of violence instead of rule of law”.