The Conference gathers the speakers and deputy speakers of the SEECP participant countries. In his address, Speaker Stefanovic stressed the importance of the regional initiative, highlighting the efforts of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Government of the Republic of Serbia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia who have jointly contributed to the strengthening of regional cooperation, especially as regards ensuring security, stability and prosperity. The Speaker drew attention to how important it is to stimulate economic cooperation and establish ties between the economies using the parliaments’ legislative and oversight function, thus creating better business conditions, contributing to a safer economic environment, all aimed at attracting more investment. Stefanovic suggested an approach to regional cooperation based on improving cultural, economic and political ties, overcoming the past and building relations capable of tackling future challenges. Speaker Stefanovic deemed that SEE region states should play a key role in the future development of regional cooperation which would facilitate the EU integration process and improve the lives of their citizens.
At the margins of the Ohrid meeting, the NARS Speaker had several bilateral meetings. Stefanovic met with the Chairman of the Romanian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies, Valeriu Stefan Zgonea, Romanian Senate’s Vice President Florin Constantinescu and the Deputy Speaker of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Milorad Zivkovic.
In the meeting, the Romanian delegation supported Serbia’s being given a start date for the EU talks, continuation of the dialogue with Pristina and all joint regional initiatives.
In the course of the Conference, Speaker Stefanovic will also meet with the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Laszlo Surjan, Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek, President of the Slovenian Parliament’s upper house Mitja Bervar, Vice President of the Slovenian National Assembly Renata Brunskole and the Macedonian Assembly Speaker Trajko Veljanoski.