The central topic of the meeting was the persistent violation of international public law, which we are witnessing after the unilateral declaration of Kosovo independence was supported, which, as the Head of Delegation Biljana Pantic Pilja pointed out, opened a Pandora's box. In her opinion, the examples of Ukraine, Greenland and now Iran are the result of disrespect for international law and of the principle of might makes right.

Pilja said that the possible admission of the so-called Kosovo to the Council of Europe, which is being discussed again ahead of the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers, would further undermine the already shaky relations in the Council of Europe. She reminded that the opinion of the then PACE rapporteur for Kosovo's application for membership in the Council of Europe, Dora Bakoyannis, was adopted, which set three conditions for the admission of the so-called Kosovo to the Council of Europe, but that these conditions have not been met to this day. As she said, the issue of land expropriation has not been resolved, the decision regarding the monastery of Visoki Decani has not been implemented, nor has the Community of Serb Municipalities been formed.

She also pointed to the unilateral moves of the authorities in Pristina, which have a direct impact on the Serbian population. In the last two years, as many as 15% of Serbs have left their homes, which is a kind of exodus of the Serbian people and an example of ethnic cleansing.

Pantic Pilja expressed particular concern as 15 March approaches, when the Law on Foreigners adopted by the provisional institutions in Pristina will enter into force, which could further complicate the living, working and educational issues of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija. She called on the Council of Europe to do everything within its competence to protect the Serbian population in Kosovo-Metohija.

She also raised the issue of the work of the PACE Monitoring Committee, recalling that Serbia has not received a report since 2011 and that it is high time to consider its transition to the post-monitoring phase. She added that Serbia has had as many as 16 rapporteurs in that process so far.

Council of Europe Secretary-General Alain Berset agreed that respecting international law is an absolute priority and stressed that its violation cannot have positive consequences in the future, as indicated by the current geopolitical situation.

He emphasised that the Council of Europe is following the socio-political situation in Serbia with great attention and interest.

"What we are seeing in Serbia has certain similarities with the processes currently taking place across Europe. We are facing uncertainties, rapid technological development and the visible impact of these processes on the functioning of politics and democracy. I believe that your parliament also discusses what we can all do to preserve stability in society," said Berset.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Monitoring Committee, Elvira Kovacs, spoke about the challenges Serbia faces in the monitoring process, as well as the difficulties related to the election of members of the REM Council.

The meeting was also attended by members of the National Assembly delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Aleksandar Mirkovic, Dunja Siminovic Bratic and Tatjana Pasic.