Speaker Stefanovic opined that Serbia and Slovakia have many common interests and that Serbia is particularly interested in furthering the two countries’ economic cooperation. He also pointed out the importance of interparliamentary cooperation both for the Euro-integration process in which the National Assembly plays a significant role and because of the global increase in the importance of parliamentarism as a means of popular representation.

The National Assembly Speaker also thanked Slovakia for the assistance and support it offers Serbia in the Euro-integration process. He underlined the historic significance of the beginning of accession talks with the European Union for Serbia, adding that the future cooperation between Serbia and the Slovak Republic in the sphere of Euro-integration would prove extremely important. In that context, Stefanovic said that Serbia is very interested in taking part in Slovakia’s active Euro-integration programmes and went on to point out the need to improve cooperation between the two parliaments’ respective parliamentary friendship groups.

The Slovak Prime Minister congratulated Serbia on the beginning of talks with the European Union, stressing that the Slovak Republic would offer maximum support to Serbia in the negotiation process and assist it by sharing its experiences. He commended the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, stressing that Slovakia’s political position on Kosovo-Metohija remained unchanged. The Slovak Prime Minister also thanked Serbia for its cultivation of the Slovak national minority living in the country.

Speaker Stefanovic thanked Prime Minister Fico for Slovakia’s principled support and non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija.