The Chairperson of the European Integration Committee Elvira Kovacs met with the Swedish Ambassador to Serbia Charlotte Sammelin today in the National Assembly House to discuss the importance of the accession of the Western Balkan countries to the European Union.
At the very beginning of the meeting, the Committee Chairperson welcomed the National Assembly House and wished her a successful mandate in Serbia, stressing that Serbia is committed to intensifying parliamentary diplomacy. At the Ambassador's interest, Kovacs explained the role and mode of operation of the European Integration Committee, emphasising its successful cooperation with the competent ministry, as well as the important role of the Committee and the National Assembly in harmonising Serbia's laws with the EU acquis. She said that the MPs had the opportunity to talk with the Director General of the European Commission’s Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations Gert Jan Koopman and that a public hearing on the proposed candidates for members of the Council of the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media is currently underway in the Parliament.
The Ambassador stressed that Sweden is a strong advocate for Serbia's European path, emphasising the importance of reforms in key areas such as the rule of law, human rights and democracy. She said that one of her goals is to help Serbia meet the necessary criteria for EU membership while fostering a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries.
The officials also discussed the process of improving electoral conditions and the National Assembly Working Group dealing with this issue, as well as the current political situation in Serbia.
They went on to discuss deepening cooperation through parliamentary friendship groups and agreed on joint action, especially in the area of economy and the exchange of experiences and good practices in this field.