At today’s news conference, held before next week’s National Assembly sitting, the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Predrag Markovic, said that the European Union’s decision to suspend negotiations with Serbia was expected. Mr Markovic added that the suspension, together with the resignation of Miroljub Labus, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and head of Serbia’s EU accession negotiating team, was a reason for concern that he shared personally with the Serbian public.

Another reason for concern is the fact that the international community had recognised the value of contributions made by various levels of Serbian government over the past year – the legislative activity of the National Assembly, the moves made by the executive bodies and the Kosovo and Metohia and EU accession negotiating teams – that had given hope for the establishment of sorely needed stability in Serbia.

Mr Markovic again reiterated that all institutions had to do their duties in a responsible fashion, to fully uphold the law, and to mutually support each other in doing so, especially this year, at a time of difficult decisions and solutions for Serbia. He added that no-one could be excused from obeying the law or shouldering responsibility, underlining that all obligations that have been undertaken must be fulfilled. The National Assembly, according to Mr Markovic, would continue its legislative activity and hold true to its duty as overseer of the executive government and its own bodies. The National Assembly Chairman called for responsibility for breaching the law to be ascertained, and expressed his confidence that this would also be done by the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and all the relevant Ministers.