Deputy Speaker Arsic said that the cooperation between Serbia and Russia is exceptionally good, conducted at the highest state level, as are the two countries’ friendly relations, evidenced in Russia’s stance on the status of Kosovo-Metohija. There is always room for improvement, said Arsic stressing that the cooperation between the two parliaments is something that could stand further development. Pushkov agreed that interparliamentary cooperation should be the focus of particular attention. To that end, he suggested that Russia and Serbia should set up an interparliamentary Commission. This is a type of cooperation Russia already has with Italy, France, India and China. Interparliamentary commissions meet once a year, are headed by the parliament speakers, and address topics of utmost importance for the relations between the countries, added Pushkov.

“This would lend additional impetus and gravity to our interparliamentary cooperation”, said Pushkov.

Speaking of the sanctions the European Union instituted against Russia in June 2014, Pushkov said that Serbia is among the few countries which had not supported them, hoping that Russia will have Serbia’s support in January 2016 when their annulment will be decided. Russia also expects Serbia’s support in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Helsinki, where it will present two resolution drafts: Resolution on Opposing Neo-Nazism and Resolution of the Annulment of EU Sanctions to Russia. He said that Russia considers respecting the Minsk Agreement and normalisation of the situation in the east of Ukraine a priority, which is a precondition for the beginning of the process of abolition of the sanctions.

Deputy Speaker Arsic stressed that Serbia believes all problems can be resolved through dialogue, not sanctions.

Pushkov also spoke of the good cooperation the Russian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has with the National Assembly’s delegation, headed by Aleksandra Djurovic. He also added that the Serbian candidate for PACE Secretary General can count on Russia’s support.