In the first official meeting between the National Assembly Speaker and Romanian high officials, it was noted that the two countries have no disputed issues, as was the need to expand the scope of the existing bilateral cooperation, characterised by a long and successful tradition of friendly and close relations. Both sides are ready to intensify and expand their interparliamentary relations, and Speaker Stafanovic’s visit was deemed the first step in that direction.
The National Assembly Speaker thanked his host for the support Romania extends to Serbia in its progress toward Europe, as well as its consistent stand on Kosovo-Metohija despite the pressures to recognise its self-proclaimed independence. The importance of friendship groups as a form of interparliamentary cooperation was emphasised, and strengthening economic relations and cooperation was brought into focus, to which both countries’ parliamentarians can lend a particular impulse. In that context, Speaker Stefanovic stressed the fact that, according to size, Romania is Serbia’s fifth biggest economic partner.
The talks focused on the protection of minority rights in the region and both sides were jointly deemed ready to follow and together assist the position of the Serbian minority in Romania, and Romanian minority in Serbia, in the spirit of friendly relations and constant contacts.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, Valeriu Stefan Zgonea, emphasised the two countries friendly relations which are traditional besides the wish for a more comprehensive political and economic cooperation, but stressed that infrastructural projects with the appropriate assistance of EU funds would enable not only a more extensive economic cooperation between Serbia and Romania, but also their joint appearance on third markets.
National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic also met with several European officials in Bucharest who took part in the European People’s Party Congress.