It is my great honour and pleasure to take part in this conference and I am glad to be among friends. I would like to greet you on the behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and thank and congratulate the Macedonian chairmanship of the South-East European Cooperation Process on its dedication and efforts in the past year. At the same time, this conference is a good opportunity to consider the achievements of the previous period, and all the aspects, perspectives and potential for the future improvement of our cooperation. I would also like to thank our host, Mr. Veljanoski, for the hospitality.

I would like to stress that the South-East European Cooperation Process is an authentic initiative, originating from the countries of the macro-region themselves as a process of good-neighbourly relations, stability, security and cooperation, now comprising twelve countries and acting as “the voice of the region”.

Today, the South-East European region takes part in a considerable number of multilateral initiatives from ones of general political importance to sector-type cooperation. In the previous period, there have been several official proposals to boost regional cooperation and reform of regional institutions, such as improving the region’s European Union integration. As an illustration of future potential directions our cooperation might take, I would like to remind you of the proposal of the Visegrad Group to create a Balkan Fund modelled on the Visegrad Fund, as well as the Greek proposal to organise an EU-Western Balkans summit in the course of its presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2014.

Still, the European Union is in a crisis at present which could result in different developments, and we are aware that this has a negative impact on the enlargement process and the process of regional cooperation.

The least desirable scenario would be a possible exacerbation of the economic situation in Europe. If that may be the case, the interest for enlargement would wane and the accession process of the countries in the region would slow down which could cause a deterioration of the internal situations in the countries in the region, with negative consequences to regional cooperation.

However, we are sure that the current crisis would end positively i.e. result in the European Union’s successful emergence from the crisis. This would strengthen the Union which would in turn have a positive effect on the enlargement policy. The countries in the region would be more interested to take an even more active part in the regional cooperation by strengthening the Regional Cooperation Council and SEE Cooperation Process, which would become the real voice of the region.

On the other hand, the countries of the SEE region can and should play a key role in the improvement and further development of regional cooperation which would facilitate the EU integration process and reduce the economic and social difficulties in the region. That is why it is the SEE countries’ task to re-evaluate the results of their cooperation and attempt to define a joint vision for the region and role of the regional initiative.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our respective countries’ parliaments can also greatly contribute to the creation of better economic conditions. Parliamentary diplomacy is, first and foremost, a way to boost economic cooperation by direct contact at the bilateral and multilateral level. For the latter, our initiative is of paramount importance. Our influence on the economic ambience is therefore twofold. In addition to stimulating economic cooperation and creating ties between economies and businesses through the legislative and oversight function, the parliament sets the grounds for improving business dealings by passing laws, especially in the spheres of the rule of law and combating corruption, and later, by monitoring the implementation of said laws, the parliament contributes to a safer economic environment which in turn bring more investors. Last, but not least, Euro-integration of the region in itself proves how serious the reform is, thus directly creating an ambience of trust.

As the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia I would like to suggest an approach to regional cooperation based on improving cultural, economic and political ties; overcoming the past we inherited and building relations capable of tackling future challenges; and developing a new spirit of cooperation. We are aware of the role the European Union plays in the development of the regional cooperation in SEE.

I believe that the EU and SEE should establish a wider coordination to analyse and evaluate the past results of regional cooperation. I addition to diplomatic bodies, we could form independent expert teams to analyse what was achieved in some spheres and propose how to promote cooperation. At the same time, we can suggest the organisation of several gatherings by NGOs to consider the improvement of types and spheres of regional cooperation. There are also opportunities to jointly act more actively in the existing format and strengthen cooperation in the region so as to create reciprocal support within international organisations, support among EU member states which are taking part in our efforts in the region’s mutual interests in EU institutions, especially as regards pre-accession funds and offering support for the integration process.

It is in the Republic of Serbia’s interest to further regional cooperation and find mutual solutions to all open issues. The National Assembly is interested in intensifying the exchange of experiences and best practice. The process necessitates daily work and consultations and I am sure that our efforts and hard work will in future help us make up for the entire region’s lagging in the European integration process, to strengthen the foundations of democracy and peace in the region and contribute to economic development and prosperity.

Allow me to mention the regional cooperation, the importance of the existing initiatives and share the National Assembly’s regional cooperation experiences. It is a fact that all the countries in the region are committed to EU accession, which is also the focus of public interest and calls for thorough reform and establishment of new value systems. Aware of the fact that the development of each country lies in regional cooperation and good-neighbourly relations, we are proud to be the part of significant regional trends, especially the Free Trade Agreement – CEFTA, South East European Energy Community Treaty, which is the first treaty between the countries in the region and the European Union, to take part in the drafting of the EU Danube Strategy, as well as cooperation protocols in the spheres of the judiciary and internal affairs.

Developing relations with states in the region as the basis of establishing and strengthening stability and improving overall good-neighbourly cooperation and EU integration of this part of Europe is especially important. That is why we need to cooperate and further the existing initiatives because they provide the framework for meeting and seeking common interests and solutions in various segments of life. It is natural that cooperation with our neighbours is the key aspect of strengthening ties with the European Union, and we are sure that this is our neighbours’ priority interest. When it comes to economy, trade, infrastructure, environment, security, transport, culture, tourism, every segment of life points to our neighbours because all of these areas are connected and one cannot act in any one of them alone.

I would like take the opportunity to congratulate our colleagues from Croatia which is to become an EU member state on 1 July 2013. This is important for both Croatia and the entire region.

Working together in a great many areas of importance for our citizens we are sending a clear signal to our EU partners that the region is building an attractive, stable and predictable environment ready to respond to the demands of developed countries. As parliamentarians we can continue to stimulate cooperation, sure that it would contribute to the social, democratic and economic development of all the countries. It is extremely important for the countries in the region to cooperate in harmonising legislation, taking common positions, stands and addresses before European institutions, especially in the spheres that will improve the quality of the citizens’ living. Economic ties should be especially strengthened because with the support of economic subjects we can build a region of economic prosperity which is a pre-requisite for the establishment of lasting stability in the region.

I would like to again thank you supporting the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to improve the relations among the people in the region. I am proud to be able to stress that the President of the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the National Assembly had invested considerable efforts into strengthening and implementing this initiative. I am glad the other states accepted and endorsed the peaceful and democratic approach to addressing the problems in the region, which Serbia has always been committed to in order to increase security, stability and prosperity. We will continue to do so within this organisation, of course, in accordance with the constitutions of our respective states and the organisation’s clear rules.

It is quite natural that, at the National Assembly and during Serbia’s chairmanship of the regional initiative, we mainly focused on strengthening the parliamentary dimension of the Process. The parliaments are forums for exchanging opinions which cannot be broached at the executive level and which provide wider scope of dialogue. We parliamentarians, discuss different issues of importance for our respective countries’ citizens, of importance for the European integration process, in order to understand one another better, recognise common interests and find the best solutions to the open issues. Considering the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the National Assembly will continue to invest efforts into intensifying cooperation with the European Parliament and other European Union institutions, the parliaments of EU member states, and the parliaments of other countries in the region.

Honoured colleagues, I would like to stress that Serbia is committed to its progress to Europe, in which the parliament plays a very important role. Expecting to start the talks for membership, striving to secure a better life for our citizens, it is very important to stay consistent in our pursuit of reform, sure that the way of democracy, prosperity, social development, human rights protection and fundamental freedoms has no alternative.

Finally, I would like to invite the honoured colleagues from the region to work together on the integration of our region into the EU, as this is our common goal. Without cooperation among all the countries in the region there can be no progress for any individual country in the region. In view of this we remain consistent in our progress to European integration and strengthening of good-neighbourly relations and relations in the region.

Thank you!