The idea of this year’s organiser of the gathering, the NARS Speaker, was to address gender equality, human rights in light of children’s rights and the European Union accession perspectives of the countries of South Eastern Europe in an informal meeting. The discussion on these topics will be continued after the meeting, in the course of the two-day visit opened by the gathering.

In her opening address, the NARS Speaker detailed Serbia’s efforts to handle the EU roadmap explaining the entirety of the NARS’s role in the process. She stressed that Serbia is doing all in its power to receive candidacy status by the end of the year, as well as a date for the beginning of negotiations. In light on this, she said that the majority of Serbian citizens have already voiced their belief that Serbia should join the EU but this percentage oscillates depending of the economic situation, living standard, all within the efforts to overcome the present global financial crisis.

The NARS Speaker also detailed Serbia’s position on Kosovo-Metohija emphasising the need to continue the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina which should help resolve the issues of vital importance for the citizens of Serbia’s southern province. The officials endorsed the need to continue the dialogue.

The ladies parliament speakers openly supported Serbia’s efforts on joining the EU, stressing that all SEE countries should become full-fledged EU members as soon as possible.