National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia / Activities / Activity details
1 July 2013 National Assembly Speaker Dr Nebojsa Stefanovic and the President of the European Council, H.E. Herman Van Rompuy
Monday, 1 July 2013
National Assembly Speaker Receives European Council President
National Assembly Speaker Dr Nebojsa Stefanovic received H.E. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, at the National Assembly House.
The President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy emphasised the role of the parliament in Euro-integration processes, adding that his visit attests to the commitment to continue in line with the European Council’s decision of last Friday. Rompuy went on to say that the date is fixed and that the talks would start in January at the latest. However, Rompuy continued, we will not wait for January because the process has already started and added that there would be no additional conditions. Rompuy claimed that once a historic process has started there is no point in arguing about a couple of weeks, opining it that the European Council’s decision is important for the entire region in which Serbia plays a significant role. The important reforms Serbia is to undertake on its way to the European Union, added Rompuy are important for the country itself. Speaking of the first chapters to be opened, chapters 23 and 24, Rompuy underlined their importance because opening and addressing them at the beginning of the talks would create a positive climate and dispel the possible doubts of some of the member states. Rompuy went on to stress his own enthusiasm shared by many of the member states when the decision on the start date for talks with Serbia was being made, adding that the decision itself is a signal of hope and expectation for both the state top and all the citizens. However, continued Rompuy, the perfect balance needs to be struck between these great expectations and reality, adding that public and parliamentary support is considerable, which should be maintained in the course of the talks themselves in the upcoming years.
Speaker Stefanovic again thanked Rompuy for his support and encouragement, opining that Serbia has now boarded a train and it is up to Serbia how quickly it would travel.