The Head of the Serbian Progressive Party Parliamentary Group Dr Aleksandar Martinovic stressed that Serbia is firmly committed to EU accession.

“We want to belong to that type of society for economic, political and social reasons. As a small nation we believe that the path of European values is the best one for Serbia and its citizens. We value economic progress and development, internal peace and stability which all rest on democracy, respect of human and minority rights” said Martinovic.

He added that, speaking of foreign policy, Serbia wants to become an EU member state on the one hand, though it would appreciate it is the EU had more understanding for Serbia, and on the other maintain its relations with the Russian Federation and China, as well as with other friendly countries. Martinovic said he expected the UK, Brexit and Kosovo-Metohija issue notwithstanding, to continue to support Serbia on its European path and path to economic development.

“What is truly important for the Serbian Progressive Party Parliamentary Group and its coalition partners is peace and security in the Western Balkans and respecting the territorial integrity of the countries in the region. The region’s economic growth could help maintain peace in this part of Europe and we believe that an economic and customs union in the Western Balkans would defuse the tensions in the region”, Martinovic concluded.

“Speaking of Kosovo-Metohija, we want to forge lasting peace with the Albanians. The best solution to the Kosovo issue can only be found through dialogue between Serbs and Albanians and we would like the international community to be objective in this dialogue”, said Martinovic about the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina.

The Head of the Socialist Party of Serbia Parliamentary Group and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Djordje Milicevic spoke of the 180 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and the UK, which he opined are good and show the tendency of improvement, especially in the spheres of economic cooperating and trade, as well as the stance on the migrant crisis and fight against terrorism. He affirmed that Serbia would not change its stance on Kosovo-Metohija and added that dialogue is the way to find a compromise solution. He urged for investments into the Serbian economy, because Serbia is a politically and economically stable country which has become, by providing various encouragements for investors, the most attractive investment destination in this part of Europe, something to which the National Assembly had contributed to by passing reform laws.

Speaking with the Serbian MPs, John Whittingdale, member the House of Commons, said that Brexit is an opportunity for his country to improve bilateral relations and ties with other countries, Serbia included, and that he understands how important EU accession is for Serbia. He stressed that the UK wishes to improve bilateral relations with Serbia, especially economic relations and trade.

In the meeting, also attended by the Head of the Social Democratic Party of Serbia Parliamentary Group Dr Milorad Mijatovic, MP Elvira Kovacs on the behalf of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians - Party of Democratic Action Parliamentary Group, Momo Colakovic on the behalf of the Party of United Pensioners of Serbia Parliamentary Group, and the Head of the Socialists’ Movement - People's Peasant Party - United Peasant Party Parliamentary Group Djordje Komlenski, the MPs stressed that Serbia is pursuing a consistent policy and that European integration is essential for reforms and the general well-being of the country. They said they expected the UK to continue to support Serbia’s European path and encourage investors to make use of the favourable investment environment in Serbia.