The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Dr Vladimir Orlic is currently in Prague, at the Conference of Speakers of the European Union Parliaments, within which a working breakfast was organised for the speakers of parliament of EU candidate countries. The working breakfast was hosted by the President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil and the Chairwoman of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Marketa Pekarova Adamova.
During their presentations, the presidents and representatives of the national parliaments exchanged experiences gained in the European integration process, outlining the efforts invested, progress achieved and challenges faced in fulfilling the membership criteria, and expressing their willingness to continue with the mutual support and cooperation in the matter.
Dr Orlic took the opportunity to congratulate the new candidates for EU membership, stressing that Serbia is ready to share its experiences with them, provide support and any assistance needed. He reaffirmed that full membership in the EU remains the strategic goal of the Republic of Serbia. "You will always hear the same from the President of the Republic Aleksandar Vucic, the Prime Minister of Serbia and all of us in the National Assembly, and we confirm these words with commitment and concrete progress," said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, pointing to the successes that our country has achieved in all areas that fall under the rule of law, as well as the completion of the reform of the judiciary, started by the Constitutional amendment last year, thanks to which Serbia has reached the highest European standards ever in this area. He emphasised the importance of comprehensive reforms for a better and more prosperous future for all the citizens of our country, even when the formal valuation of these steps is missing.
He reminded the attending that the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina is a special segment on Serbia's European path, any further progress of which requires Pristina’s fulfilment of the obligation it has been ignoring and denying for more than ten years - the final formation of the Community of Serb Municipalities. "On this issue, we expect the support of all of our friends and partners. The Serbian people in Kosovo-Metohija suffer the most terrible terror. People are arrested there, they are shot at, children are also mistreated. It is amazing what is happening in the heart of Europe in the 21st century. We will continue to advocate for stability and peace, the basic preconditions for ours, and the progress of the region as a whole," said Dr Orlic.
In addition to the Serbian Assembly Speaker, the working breakfast was also attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Zvizdic, President of the Parliament of Montenegro Danijela Djurovic, President of the Macedonian Assembly Talat Xhaferi, President of the Parliament of Moldova Igor Grosu, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as the Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Agron Gjekmarkaj.