The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, MA Nebojsa Stefanovic stressed that the new parliamentary legislature’s priorities are supporting the anti-corruption struggle, as well as strengthening the Parliament’s reputation and position in society. He emphasised UNDP’s role in helping achieve these goals, expressing his expectation that the current Assembly legislature and he as its Speaker would continue to enjoy the extensive assistance provided by the United Nations agency.

Stefanovic also hoped that UNDP would continue to support the Assembly’s further opening up to the public and its role in the control of the executive.

The officials also mentioned the manner in which UNDP would assist these goals in accordance with its programme, due to be completed by 2015. The meeting focused on the Report on the strengthening of the accountability of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia through the final project evaluation report, as well as the promotion of the current project of strengthening the Parliament’s supervisory role and transparency realised by UNDP in cooperation with the National Assembly.

UNDP Coordinator William Infante stressed that UNDP would help strengthen the Government and Parliament’s credibility with the domestic and foreign public and continue to encourage the strengthening of the role of the public in the decision-making process in the Parliament. Mr. Infante was particularly pleased that the National Assembly Speaker stresses the Parliament’s control role over the executive. He endorsed the fight against corruption and organised crime and zero tolerance for irregularities in state authorities, underlining the need for further judiciary reform. Mr. Infante declared it important that Serbia’s global image is improving which would undoubtedly help Serbia’s economic interests.

The officials also agreed on new types of cooperation relating to human and children's rights protection, which they would work on jointly in the upcoming period.