First off, the officials agreed that parliamentary and bilateral relations are at a high level and that there are no open issues.

PFG Head Simonovic expressed satisfaction with the upcoming visit of the three prime ministers from the Benelux countries, organised for 3 and 4 July in Belgrade, which will further contribute to an even better cooperation between the two countries. She added that an exchange of visits by members of parliamentary friendship groups, as well as members of the two parliaments’ foreign affairs committees, could give a significant boost to parliamentary cooperation.

Speaking of economic cooperation in 2022, Simonovic said that the total volume of exchange amounted to 996 million euros, and from January to April of this year it amounted to 326.85 million euros. She stressed that Belgium is Serbia's 12th strongest partner in terms of income from services. So far, there are 60 companies with Belgian capital in Serbia.

Speaking of Serbia’s European integration, Simonovic stressed that this is our country’s strategic commitment, hoping for good cooperation during Belgium's presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January 2024 and expressing the expectation so-called State of Kosovo’s bid for membership in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe would not be accepted.

She referred to the situation in Kosovo-Metohija, pointing out that the Pristina side did not honour all the obligations assumed under the 2013 Brussels Agreement regarding the establishment of the Community of Serb Municipalities.

Belgian Ambassador Cathy Buggenhout opined that bilateral cooperation is at a high level and that there is room to improve parliamentary cooperation through the exchange of visits and experiences between parliamentarians.

She agreed with the Head of the PFG with Belgium that economic cooperation, involving 40 companies, is very well-developed. She stressed that Serbia has a place in Europe and that during the Belgium’s Presidency of the Council of Europe, the country would give its contribution and support to Serbia on its European path. She pointed out that the Council of Europe is committed to fundamental values, rule of law, independent judiciary, transparency of the public procurement process, respect and promotion of human rights and democracy.

The officials also discussed the current foreign-policy situation in the world, primarily the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine, the energy crisis and the fallout of the COVID epidemic.

The meeting was attended by PFG members Zagorka Aleksic and Robert Kozma who pointed to the importance of economic cooperation, intensification of parliamentary diplomacy and added that Serbia is committed to the European path. Robert Kozma said that as a representative of the Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)own movement he advocates fighting for a healthy environment, democratisation of the country and combating social and economic inequalities.