Addressing the MPs, representatives of the diplomatic corps, international organisations and National Assembly Service staff, Milica Delevic, Chairperson of the European Integration Committee, applauded the beginning of the realisation of the project which would strengthen the National Assembly’s capacities in the European integration process. The National Assembly passes laws which should make changes in society possible, the European Integration Committee discusses these laws and checks their compliance with European legislation, and as Serbia approaches EU membership, the National Assembly’s role will grow in significance, where a project like this one is extremely important, concluded Delevic. The 18-month project will be jointly realised by the National Assembly Service and the Hellenic Parliament, with the support of Belgian and Slovak experts, which would all contribute to the European integration process and strengthening of the National Assembly’s overall capacities.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Vincent Degert, expressed great pleasure at the partnership between the National Assembly and the Hellenic Parliament on the project which will demonstrate the importance of the parliament in society. He added that the project supports precisely those changes which Serbia needs to implement in the European integration process. He commended the changes in the functioning of the Serbian Parliament, emphasising the legislative activity which enabled the changes ranging from electoral legislation to achieving equal gender representation at the National Assembly. He is sure that the project will give results and strengthen both the Parliament’s legislative and control role.
Efthymios Karanasios, the Head of the Hellenic Parliament’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with Serbia, highlighted the importance of the excellent and friendly relations between Serbia and Greece, expecting that the two parliaments’ joint project would give results and contribute to future cooperation in other projects. He believes that the cooperation between the friendship groups at the Greek and Serbian parliaments would also contribute to overall cooperation.
Following the opening address, Project Leader Vasilios Svolopoulos presented the project, speaking about its basic methodology, action plan and the project components themselves.
The 18-month project which will be jointly realised by the National Assembly Service and the Hellenic Parliament aims to boost the National Assembly’s efficiency, accountability and transparency, as well as strengthen its representative role, legislative and control function.
Various project activities will enable the transfer of best European practice, exchange of experiences and expert skills between the parliaments of EU member states and the National Assembly, Government and independent institutions of the Republic of Serbia.