Emphasising the importance of the Canadian parliamentary delegation’s visit to the National Assembly House, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Milos Aligrudic opined that the political and economic relations between Serbia and Canada provide a solid basis for further improvement. He pointed out that the investments of Canadian companies into Serbia are an indicator of the prosperity of these relations. Speaking of Serbia’s European integration process, Aligrudic explained that the majority of MPs at the National Assembly is in favour of Euro-integration, while few of them, among them the MPs of his own Democratic Party of Serbia, believe that Serbia should build good bilateral relations with the European Union and other countries, based on the principle of mutual benefit, but that Euro-integration is not one of Serbia’s priorities. The difference in political views notwithstanding, the MPs are united in their opinion that the relations with Canada should be furthered both in the political and economic sphere, said Aligrudic. The Committee Chairman also touched on the issue of Canada’s restrictive visa regime and asked his Canadian colleagues to use their authority to help improve the existing situation.

Canadian Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella said that the cooperation between Serbia and Canada should be open, pointing out the importance of Serbia’s both global and regional integration. Serbia could help Canada better understand the relations in South-East Europe so that Canada could become a better partner to the region, Kinsella added.

Canadian senators Percy Downe and Salma Ataullahjan and Canadian Ambassador to Serbia Roman Waschuk also took part in the meeting. Speaking about Canada’s visa regime, the members of the Canadian delegation pointed out the options that facilitate visa application for Serbian citizens, saying they were sure that the further improvement of bilateral relations between Serbia and Canada would significantly improve the situation for Serbian citizens.

The two delegations also discussed Canadian investment into Serbia, where the members of the Foreign Affairs Committee pointed out that fighting corruption and crime creates an environment conducive to foreign investment. Committee member Marija Obradovic suggested intensifying cooperation between the two countries’ universities and exchanging experience on how to improve the position of women, especially in the sphere of entrepreneurship.

The meeting was also attended by Committee members Milorad Mijatovic, Sanda Raskovic Ivic, Donka Banovic, Aleksandra Djurovic, Vojislav Vujic and Zeljko Susec.