The Chairman of the European Integrations Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Laslo Varga, talked today at the National Assembly House to the members of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Hannes Swoboda and Jan Marinus Wiersmo.

Stressing the importance of Serbia’s accession to the European Union to both the country and the region, the EP deputies offered help, based on their personal experience, in the upcoming activities that Serbia has to undertake on its road. They were particularly interested whether Serbia’s integrations have public support.

Chairman Varga briefed the European parliamentarians on the work of the National Assembly and the European Integrations Committee, pointing out that laws had recently been passed allowing Serbia to be put onto the Schengen white list. He expressed an expectation that by the middle of next year the National Assembly will have passed the remaining about 30 laws which are a condition for Serbia receiving the status of candidate country for EU membership. About 75% of Serbia’s population is in favour of integration, Serbia has a pro-European Government, and the ruling majority in the National Assembly also favours European integrations and they do all in their power to create the conditions for Serbia’s speedy integration into the EU. However, to achieve this, Serbia needs EU support and certain specific positive moves, like, for example, putting Serbia onto the Schengen white list by the summer of next year, Laslo Varga said. The conversation also touched on the issue of the position of minorities in Serbia.

The European parliamentarians expressed their readiness to plead Serbia’s case at the European Parliament so that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Serbia and EU becomes effective as soon as possible.