The European Parliament Rapporteur for Serbia Jelko Kacin met today at the National Assembly House with representatives of the National Assembly with whom he spoke on the current situation in Serbiafor the purpose of drafting a report on Serbia’s progress in approaching the EU.

Kacin had separate meetings with the National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic, President of the Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Group Cedomir Jovanovic, President of the Minority Deputy Group Balint Pastor, as well as deputies Petar Kuntic, Esad Dzudzevic, Bajram Omeragic, Meho Omerovic and Riza Halimi.
In his conversation with Gordana Comic, Kacin pointed out that the draft report on Serbia’s progress which he should present to the European Parliament by the end of September, can not be put into procedure or receive a positive opinion unless the National Assembly ratifies the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. He also believes that the ruling majority and the opposition should make additional efforts to ensure teamwork, and thus improve the National Assembly’s image as an institution of parliamentary democracy.
Deputy Speaker Comic briefed the European Parliament rapporteur on the National Assembly’s upcoming activities, as well as the difficulties in its work. She expressed an expectation that the National Assembly will ratify the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Serbiaand the EU by the end of September, and pass the remaining 43 bills conditional for Serbia’s speedier accession to the EU by the end of the year.
In his talk with Jelko Kacin, the President of the Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Group at the National Assembly Cedomir Jovanovic stated that he will do everything in his power to fulfill the National Assembly’s obligations and ratify the Stabilisation and Association Agreement. He announced that he will strive to have the autumn session of the National Assembly begin with a discussion on the Agreement as the only item on the agenda and expressed hope that Kacin’s report on Serbiawill be positive. Jovanovic deemed every positive signal from Europeas very important, adding that Serbia’s European orientation can not be called into question. The policy of understanding and European support are important for Serbia’s further approach to the European Union which is proved by the fact that Serbia’s future development at the moment depends on the transitional Agreement, that is the granting of important financial means for the purpose, Jovanovic said.
In the meeting with Jelko Kacin, deputy Petar Kuntic stated that there is a certain progress concerning the position of national minorities in Vojvodina. On the behalf of the Croatian Democratic Union of Vojvodina, Kuntic deemed that there is a certain positive shift in the representation the Croatian minority in state institutions.
The President of the Minority Deputy Group Balint Pastor, Vice President of the Minority Deputy Group Bajram Omeragic and deputies Esad Dzudzevic, Meho Omerovic and Riza Halimi, talked to rapporteur Kacin about the progress in the realisation of national minority rights in Vojvodina, Sandzak and the south of Serbia. The representatives of national minority parties at the National Assembly agreed in their estimate that for the further improvement of the position of national minorities in Serbiaa law on national councils should be passed as soon as possible.

They also exchanged opinions on the current political situation in Serbia, as well as regional and cross-border cooperation which opens the road to economic development.