The Conference began with a minute's silence for the tragic victims of the canopy collapse at the Novi Sad railway station.

In her opening address, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ana Brnabic stressed that European integration and regional cooperation remain the absolute priority objectives of Serbia’s foreign policy and the reforms it aims to achieve are conducted primarily in the interest of the citizens and strengthening of the state.

“The speed with which we progress toward the European Union, contributes to the creation a quality society for all the citizens and the economy, protection of the institutions and strengthening of the rule of law. All the reforms we have conducted on out ten-year long road to Europe Union and which we continue to conduct in line with the recommendations we have received in the European Commission’s Progress Report, we conduct for ourselves and our country first, and then for the sake of the European Union”, stressed Brnabic.

Speaking about regional stability and connectivity, the Speaker said that in addition to connecting young people and transport/infrastructure connectivity, energy connectivity is also very important, which in terms of energy achieves self-sustainability and energy independence and security. Brnabic said that in the last 10 years Serbia has recorded good economic results, but that it cannot be strong and stable if it does not have a stable and well-connected region.

The Chairperson of the European Integration Committee Elvira Kovacs stressed how very pleased she was that all COSAP members, except for Ukraine and Moldova, are attending the Conference.

"In that sense, today's meeting is a confirmation that we all want to work together to improve parliamentary and regional cooperation and at the same time a confirmation that we can work together and discuss common problems. We are especially pleased that colleagues from the parliaments of Turkey and Georgia responded to the invitation.

The participants were also addressed by the Minister of European Integration, Prof. Dr Tanja Miscevic and the Head of the European Union Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret.

The topics of the panels that followed were the EU enlargement policy: next steps and the importance of regional cooperation and regional connectivity as a vital precondition in the EU accession process.

The Conference ended with the adoption of the COSAP joint statement.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the parliaments of the EU member states and representatives of COSAP, the EU delegation in Serbia, the Transport Community and the Regional Youth Office, representatives of GIZ and the diplomatic corps.