A delegation of the French National Assembly’s Friendship Group with Serbia, headed by the Group President Jean-Pierre Dufau met today with the members of the National Assembly’s Serbia-France Friendship Group led by the Group President Natasa Vuckovic.

Natasa Vuckovic welcomed the members of the French-Serbian friendship group on the behalf of the host, stressing the importance of establishing cooperation between the two parliaments via the friendship groups. Speaking of the current situation in Serbia, she pointed out Serbia’s more constructive position in solving specific problems regarding the Kosovo-Metohija issue and cooperation with the Hague Tribunal, emphasising that speeding up European integration is the Government’s priority. The President of the Friendship Group, Natasa Vuckovic said that the Serbian Parliament is working on adopting European standards and a large number of laws and France’s experience will be of great help.

The President of the Friendship Group with Serbia, Jean-Pierre Dufau stressed that France appreciates Serbia’s position in resolving the Kosovo-Metohija issue and applauded its determination to solve the issue using International law. He emphasised that Serbia can count on the support of France who is ready to aid Serbia’s accession into the European Union.

In the talks, it was estimated that Serbia and France wish to significantly improve future cooperation not only between the parliaments but also on the economic, cultural and educational level. The importance of strengthening the cooperation on a regional level and the need to alleviate the visa regime, especially important for Serbian students, were particularly emphasised. It was stressed that Serbia also wants to intensify its cooperation with the International Francophone Organisation and France is prepared to help it soon become a full-fledged member of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly.

The following members of the National Assembly’s Serbia-France Friendship Group took part in the talks: Bosko Ristic, Svetlana Stojanovic, Vesna Marjanovic, Maja Lausevic, Slavoljub Mitov, Miletic Mihajlovic and Dr Nikola Krpic.