A delegation of the European Integrations Committee headed by Committee Chairman Laszlo Varga met today at the National Assembly House with a delegation of the Committee on European Affairs of the Dutch Parliament’s Lower House, headed by Committee Chairperson Gerda Verburg. The Dutch parliamentary delegation, in official visit to Serbia at the invitation of the European Integrations Committee, comprises the deputies of the most important political parties at the Dutch Parliament.

The Dutch parliamentarians stressed that most political parties at their Parliament support Serbia’s European Union accession and are sure that Serbia is part of the big European family and that its future is in the European Union. Serbia needs to meet the Copenhagen criteria so as to be granted EU membership, particularly to achieve stable democracy and rule of law and a functional market economy.

The Dutch parliamentarians stated that, in addition to the European Commission’s report on Serbia’s progress, the report of Hague Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz on Serbia’s cooperation with the Tribunal which will be submitted to the UN Security Council in early June, would be of key importance for Serbia’s continued progress toward the European Union. They also pointed out the need to speed up economic reform and improvement of living standards and deemed that the Netherlands are aware that Serbia is working hard on achieving it.

Committee Chairman Laszlo Varga briefed the delegation on the National Assembly and Government’s efforts to facilitate Serbia’s accession to the European Union. Varga said that, in the previous period, Serbia had established all the important state institutions, including independent regulatory bodies, and achieved progress in the field of human and minority rights.

Serbia’s ratification of the EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement in April 2010 opened the process of its ratification by EU countries, 10 of which have signed the Agreement said Varga. He added that, at the moment, Serbia’s accession to the European Union was supported by the biggest political parties which make up the majority at the National Assembly.

The Serbian delegation members pointed out that Serbia was ready for the next steps toward European integration i.e. the completion of the SAA ratification and gaining EU candidate status. They asked the Dutch parliamentarians to support Serbia’s efforts on the road to European integration.

The guests emphasised the importance of strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue between the two countries.