National Assembly Deputy Speaker Elvira Kovacs met today with the French Ambassador to Serbia H.E. Pierre Cochard.
The officials discussed Serbia’s European integration and the current political situation in Europe and Serbia.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Elvira Kovacs, who is also the Chairperson of the European Integration Committee, informed the Ambassador that Tanja Miscevic would be the new Minister of European Integration, which the French Ambassador was pleased to hear, saying that she is a recognised expert in the field.
Pierre Cochard praised the excellent cooperation between Serbia and France, adding that France supports Serbia's European integration and that Serbia belongs in the EU.
The officials went on to discuss the European Commission’s Report, which, once it is translated into Serbian, would find its way to the agenda of the European Integration Committee and then be discussed at a plenary session.
Ms. Kovacs pointed to the many years of the National Assembly’s good cooperation with non-governmental organisations, which she considers an important segment of social and political life, especially the long-term cooperation with the National Convention on the EU.
The National Assembly Deputy Speaker said that Serbia has clearly shown that full membership in the European community is its main foreign policy goal, but added that this process has been taking a very long time and that the European Union is not sufficiently focused on opening new clusters for Serbia.
She stressed that dialogue is the only solution for the normalisation of relations between Belgrade and Pristina, adding that Serbia respects international law and the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Ms. Kovacs underlined that recognition of independent Kosovo must not be demanded from Serbia.
Ambassador Cochard said that France supports the continuation of the dialogue, pointing out how important it is that both sides honour the obligations from the signed agreements, including those concerning the Community of Serb Municipalities, and that both sides resolutely commit to solving the remaining issues.
The officials also reflected on the current political situation in Europe and the fallout of the crisis caused by the conflicts in Ukraine, especially in the field of energy and economy.
