She opined that the visit lends support and hearty encouragement to Serbia on its road to Euro-integration. The Parliament Speaker stressed that it was obvious that by its election of parliamentarians Serbia has reached consensus on European integration as its foreign policy priority since no political option in the Parliament believes that Serbia’s road lies outside of the road to EU membership. The National Assembly Speaker thanked Her Excellency Catherine Ashton for her participation and support of Euro-integration and as regards the Kosovo-Metohija issue. The National Assembly Speaker also stressed that the adoption of European norms is not merely an instrument of the Euro-integration process but has its own merit as it improves the standard of living in Serbia.

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton thanked the hosts for the reception stressing that she was honoured and pleased to be visiting Serbia at the moment it set up its new Government. She stated that she is aware of the importance of the Assembly in the coming challenges and that she would be looking forward to Serbia’s progress considering the efforts put into the drafting of the EU Accession Strategy. She said it was a privilege to be working with the Serbian politicians on the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, conveying the best wishes of all the 28 EU member countries to the National Assembly Speaker and the Government.

National Assembly Speaker Maja Gojkovic highlighted the importance of the Parliament’s role in Serbia’s progress: “Our role is legislative and we are ready to stay in the Parliament day and night in order to harmonise Serbia’s legislation, administratively, politically and in any other way necessary, with the legislation of the European Union”. Speaker Maja Gojkovic pointed out how important the National Assembly believes transparency to be, adding how pleased she was with the high marks Serbia was awarded in the European Union Resolution. She also underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy for which she gave credit to the previous National Assembly Speaker, Dr Nebojsa Stefanovic, adding that she hoped for a continuation of the intensive cooperation with the European Parliament, which the European Union High Representative endorsed.