The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received today the Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation Valery Zorkin.

Constitutional Court Chairman Zorkin conveyed the greetings of the Russian Duma Speaker and the Russian Federation Council Chairman to Assembly Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic. He pointed out that the visit of the Russian Constitutional Court delegation to Serbia represents a renewal of bilateral relations between the two Constitutional Courts. Chairman Zorkin stressed that the Constitutional Courts in Serbia and the Russian Federation tackle common problems and tasks, the most important of which are the protection of human rights and freedoms and preservation of state integrity. Also, both countries’ young democracies are engaged in an ongoing reform process, so sharing experiences represents an important type of cooperation.

The National Assembly Speaker expressed her belief that the visit of the Russian Constitutional Court delegation will provide the foundation for the development of the relationship between Serbia and Russia on an institutional level. She stated that the National Assembly and the Russian Duma are about to sign an agreement on the cooperation of their working bodies, stressing that traditionally good relations between the two nations make it necessary to raise the institutionalised forms of cooperation on a higher level. She thanked the Russian Federation on its principled support of Serbia on the international level and under international law regarding the preservation of sovereignty and territorial integrity in Kosovo-Metohija. The Assembly Speaker also briefed Chairman Zorkin on the National Assembly’s legislative activity stressing that the adopted laws must be efficient, high-quality and adherent to the Constitution and European standards. She added that Serbia’s aspirations for European Union membership are not in conflict with its aspirations for stronger relations with the Russian Federation.

The National Assembly Speaker and Russian Constitutional Court Chairman also discussed the protection of human rights, effects of the global economic crisis, energy supply issues, globalization and meeting European standards while preserving one’s national identity.

The meeting between the National Assembly Speaker and Russian Constitutional Court President was attended by Anatoly Kononov and Gennadi Zilin, Russian federation Constitutional Court judges.