Greeting the assembly and thanking it for the invitation on the behalf of NARS, the Secretary General of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Svetislava Bulajic emphasized the importance of these meetings, hoping they will become a regular thing, in view of the fact that an exchange of views and experiences is extremely important in the ever-complicating world of dire conditions that affect the wider Black Sea region (migrations, terrorism, extremism, economic difficulties and similar challenges). Svetislava Bulajic emphasized the importance of cooperation among secretaries general aimed at a timely and efficient tackling of commonly recognized problems.

The Republic of Serbia had recently completed a six-month the presidency of PABSEC and handed it over to the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey. The plenary session in Belgrade held 29 November – 12 December 2016 was deemed very successful, and Serbia’s contribution to the further affirmation of PABSEC during its presidency was once again commended.