Zoran Babic welcomed the delegation of the French Senate and informed it about the efforts the Serbian Progressive Party puts into making sure Serbia progresses in its fight against corruption and organised crime, reform of all social segments, expediting EU integration and addressing economic issues. He opined that resolving these issues would make Serbia fertile ground for foreign investment which would open up new jobs for its citizens. Babic added that Serbia was counting on French support and experience in the Euro-integration process.

Simon Sutour, the Chair of the Committee for European Affairs, stressed that Serbia needs to develop and adjust its standards to the European ones. Sutour emphasised the importance of the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels for Serbia’s Euro-integration process and commended the marked participation of women and young people in politics and important state functions.

In the course of the meeting, the members of the Committee for European Affairs showed particular interest in the reform of state administration and reform and departisation of state-owned companies. Babic opined that the departisation of companies requires political will which, he added, the Serbian Progressive Party demonstrated through the Government reshuffle and appointment of non-partisan persons for ministers and directors. He stressed that he endorsed the policy pursued by the Serbian Progressive Party – that only quality, work results and knowledge be the criteria for employment and appointment to important state office.