He emphasized the importance of the high-level interparliamentary cooperation between the two countries, also mentioning that the National Assembly had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

Radenkovic added that, besides strengthening parliamentary cooperation, economic cooperation could also stand to be improved, as could trade and investment.

Radenkovic thanked the UK for the 9.5 million EUR given in humanitarian aid for the housing of refugees and migrants, adding that, as regards the migrant crisis, Serbia has proven to be a reliable partner to the EU and the entire international community.

“What is extremely important for Serbia is the UK’s stance on the Brussels Agreement signed to make dialogue the vessel of stability and reconciliation between Serbs and Albanians”, Radenkovic believes. He stated that it is of paramount importance to ensure peace and security and find solutions to the day-to-day problems of the Serbs living in Kosovo-Metohija.

He also said it was essential that the UK as the birthplace of diplomacy endorse a just solution to the Kosovo-Metohija issue.

“Independent Kosovo is not the solution, but a problem which gives rise to huge break-ups and territorial pretensions not just in Serbia, but in the entire region”, said Radenkovic.

He stressed that the National Assembly has reached a consensus on Serbia’s European path, adding that 10 chapters have been opened so far, two of which have been temporarily closed, which is a dynamics the country will hopefully maintain in the coming period. Radenkovic said that Serbia has been recognized as the key to the stability in the region and its progress on the road to EU is clear and visible.
John Whittingdale, member the House of Commons who headed the UK Parliamentary delegation, said that despite the fact that the UK is leaving the EU, it endorses Serbia’s European path and he hopes Serbian MPs would take part in the summit of Western Balkan countries in London next year. The UK Parliamentary delegation had questions about the challenges Serbia comes up against on the path to the EU, and the PFG members agreed that one of the key challenges is resolving the status of Kosovo-Metohija.

The meeting was attended by PFG members Dubravka Filipovski, Ljiljana Malusic, Zvonimir Djokic, Dr Danica Bukvic and Aleksandra Cabraja.

The UK delegation also comprised David Drew, Baroness D’Souza, Baroness Northover and Baroness Barker.