The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received today at the National Assembly House Gianfranco Fini, President of the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies, currently in a one-day visit to Serbia.

The Italian and Serbian Parliament Speakers talked about improving interparliamentary cooperation, as well as all other kinds of cooperation with a special emphasis on economic cooperation between the two countries. They exchanged views and experiences on the parliament’s role in overcoming the effects of the global economic crisis.

Fini announced that the Italian Parliament intends to be the first EU parliament to, when the time comes, ratify the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU as part of the overall friendly relations between Serbia and Italy.

The Assembly Speaker stated that this was her chance to thank her Italian counterpart on the behalf of Serbian parliamentarians and citizens, for Italy’s understanding and sincere support of Serbia on the road to full European Union membership. Djukic-Dejanovic briefed the officials on the state policy priorities and legislative activity of the current NARS convocation. Regarding the Kosovo-Metohija issue, Fini expressed understanding for the Serbian side’s position and said that the ruling of the International Court of Justice could provide the grounds to reopen the dialogue.

“Serbia is part of the EU both geographically and culturologically, and it is paramount that the Union complete its map as soon as possible and include the Balkan countries”, Fini said. According to Fini, when Serbia joins the EU the relations between Belgrade and Rome would become event stronger, among the “strongest relations Italy maintains with any other EU member”.

Fini thanked the Serbian Assembly Speaker for the excellent cooperation enjoyed between Serbian and Italian institutions in suppressing crime and commended the laws and Serbian police activities in the field.

Djukic-Dejanovic said that the 131 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Italy should compel them to intensify all types of cooperation between the two countries, both in the political and economic sphere, as well as in the sphere of parliamentary cooperation.