National Assembly Deputy Speaker MA Igor Becic welcomed the NATO delegation on the behalf of the National Assembly Speaker, the MPs and himself. He spoke of the excellent and successful cooperation the National Assembly delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, of which he used to be a member himself, has with the NATO PA, where it strives to actively contribute and develop partnerships.

Becic reminded the parliamentarians that the National Assembly had hosted the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Rose-Roth seminar three times now, gathering more than 200 participants, including representatives of 22 NATO PA members and associate members , representatives of ministries and other state institutions, international organisations, the diplomatic corps, academic community and representatives of civil society organisations. Deputy Speaker Becic said that the frequent visits of NATO PA committee delegations to Serbia testify to the excellent cooperation, especially today’s visit since the delegation comprises parliamentarians from 16 NATO member and associate states.

“In that context, allow me to remind you that as a military neutral country which does not strive to become a NATO member, we are willing to improve the partnership within the available mechanisms of the Partnership for Peace, that is to be a reliable, responsible and predictable partner to the NATO and contribute to preserving peace, prosperity and stability in the region”, said Deputy Speaker Becic.

NATO PA Vice-President Lord Thomas Michael Jopling thanked the Deputy Speaker for the welcome saying he was glad to be able to visit Serbia again and talk to its parliamentarians. Mentioning that in the NATO delegation there are some parliamentarians who had not had the chance to visit the National Assembly before, Lord Jopling asked Deputy Speaker Becic to brief them on the parliament’s activities and the election system in the Republic of Serbia since the country has entered the pre-election process.

Deputy Speaker Becic said that Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic decided to ask for elections at all levels in order to ensure the continuity and legitimacy which, he had no doubt, the citizens would give to the government, to continue the economic reforms. The Head of the National Assembly delegation to the NATO PA Dragan Sormaz added that the EU accession process should be completed within the mandate of a single government which guarantees a consensus on key issues in the process.

Lord Jopling thanked the National Assembly for organising the meetings between the NATO delegation and the parliamentarians hoping that the coming talks would be constructive and that they would contribute to the establishment of better and more productive cooperation.