The representative of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo-Metohija in Belgrade Alvaro Balasteros briefed the Assembly Speaker on the work of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo-Metohija which he represents in Belgrade and presented the OSCE Mission’s monograph on orthodox cemeteries in Kosovo-Metohija. Mr. Balasteros expects the continuation of negotiations on Kosovo-Metohija to be successful and that the new representatives of the OSCE Mission in both Belgrade and Pristina about to assume duty in September, will continue to successfully cooperate with the National Assembly.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, MA Nebojsa Stefanovic said that the Parliament would play an active role in the creation of a platform for the continued negotiations in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. He added that the representatives of the National Assembly to international conferences which include representatives of Pristina would participate in line with the agreement reached by the representatives of the previous Government.

The Assembly Speaker was worried about the endangerment of the safety of the Serbian population in Kosovo-Metohija, and expressed an expectation that their safety should not be a condition of the negotiations. He deemed that life is hard for the Serbian population in Kosovo-Metohija and the conditions for their return practically impossible due to their safety being in constant danger. Nebojsa Stefanovic also added that the Assembly would ask to have a more active role in the improvement of the living conditions of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and added that he expected the negotiations platform to be presented before the Parliament whose support would additionally strengthen the position of the negotiators in the new round of negotiations.