Deputy Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with the Czech Republic, MA Jadranka Jovanovic, and the PFG members met today, at the National Assembly, with the Czech parliamentary delegation headed by the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Tomio Okamura.
MA Jadranka Jovanovic expressed great pleasure and extended a warm welcome to the guests, both on her own behalf and on behalf of the PFG, emphasising the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries.
"Bilateral relations between our two countries have a long tradition and meetings such as this one are an opportunity to further improve relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Czech Republic, with particular emphasis on parliamentary, political and economic cooperation," said Jovanovic.
The Deputy Head of the PFG proudly highlighted the participation of the President of the Republic of Serbia, Aleksandar Vucic, at the 19th GLOBSEC Forum, at the invitation of the President of the Czech Republic, Petr Pavel, which was held in Prague, in August and September 2024. President Aleksandar Vucic also met with President Pavel in New York in 2025, on the eve of the opening of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly, she said, adding that meetings of this kind confirm the strengthening of economic and political ties with strategic partners.
Jovanovic informed the guests that the "Czech House" was opened in November 2024 as a meeting centre for the two countries’ businessmen and companies and with the aim of strengthening economic and tourist connections between the two countries.
She also proudly emphasised that in 2025, the Czech Republic was Serbia’s ninth largest foreign trade partner and the eighth most important market for Serbian exports.
Later in the meeting, Jovanovic focused on the topic of Kosovo-Metohija. "Belgrade is firmly committed to the normalisation of relations with Pristina and finding sustainable solutions through dialogue, but we do not have an adequate interlocutor in Pristina," Jovanovic said. "It is crucial that Pristina fulfils its obligations under the Brussels Agreement and forms the Community of Serb Municipalities, as well as refrains from violent and unilateral moves that directly undermine peace, stability and threaten the survival of the Serbian people," she added.
In that context, Jovanovic particularly thanked Mr. Okamura for his boldness and courage to clearly express his position and state that the so-called Kosovo would not have been recognised by the Czech Republic if he had been asked.
"The Serbian people are very grateful for this stance, because it means a lot to our people and helps us endure in the arduous struggle. I am proud of our small country that defends international law," stressed MA Jadranka Jovanovic.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic expressing satisfaction that the two countries wish to strengthen and build on their history of friendly relations. He also emphasised that in terms of politics, Serbia and the Czech Republic understand each other well and are working to deepen relations. He added that the Czech Republic supports Serbia on its European path and is ready to share its experiences from the EU accession process.
The meeting was also attended by the Serbian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Dr Berislav Vekic, and the Czech Ambassador to Serbia, Jan Bondi, who expressed satisfaction with the exceptional cooperation at the embassy level, with Ambassador Vekic announcing the upcoming twinning of several Czech and Serbian cities.
The meeting was attended by PFG members, Biljana Jakovljevic, Stasa Stojanovic, Dragana Arsic, Miroslav Petrasinovic and Nikola Radosavljevic, who emphasised the importance of good economic cooperation between the two countries, as well as the cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, energy, tourism and culture. They also expressed interest and readiness to further deepen overall relations in the spirit of friendship and partnership.
