Admiral Stavridis thanked the National Assembly Speaker for the reception, congratulating him for his election to the post of Speaker.
Thanking the Admiral for the congratulations, National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic stressed that he highly appreciated the Parliament’s control role over the executive and said that he believed that the meeting with the NATO delegation greatly contributed to said role. Stefanovic also said that strengthening the role of parliamentary committees, commitment to the fight against corruption and transparency of the Parliament’s work are the key to the reform the Assembly is going through. In addition, Stefanovic emphasised the role of the Serbian army in peace operations i.e. international missions, deeming that the participation helps improve Serbia’s image in the world.
Admiral Stavridis also commended the role the members of the Serbian Military play in international forces, deeming it a good way to present Serbia as a country looking toward the future, which met with the approval of both the US and NATO. Stavridis also endorsed the strengthening of the parliamentary function through its control role and shared his experience on hearings before the American Congress.
The National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic stressed the importance of the KFOR mission in Kosovo-Metohija, emphasising the importance of the mission for the safety of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and especially warning of the fact that, as a rule, negotiations are accompanied by frequent provocation and endangerment of the safety and property of the Serbian people. Stefanovic appealed for the status neutral KFOR mission not to reduce the volume of operations in Kosovo-Metohija because he fears for the safety of the people and their property in Kosovo-Metohija, also emphasising the danger to Serbian cultural monuments.
Admiral Stavridis agreed that Serbian cultural monuments are part of the world cultural heritage and repeated that KFOR and NATO prioritize safety in the region and assured Stefanovic that KFOR would continue its mandate without bias. Applauding the Government’s vision which includes dialogue with Pristina, Stavridis said that such dedication to negotiation is important for Serbia’s European perspective. Stavridis emphasised the importance of the region both for NATO and the US which would continue to significantly contribute to the KFOR mission which includes a significant number of American soldiers, adding that they would continue to support the KFOR mission in Kosovo-Metohija.
National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic thanked the Admiral for his views and proposed that the contact on this level be intensified, saying that Serbia is dedicated to peace and stability in the region.