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Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Vladimir Orlić visited Budapest today where he participated at 11th Meeting of the Speakers of Parliaments of South-Eastern Europe.
At the meeting, which topic is European integration process, Speaker of the National Assembly Vladimir Orlić emphasized in his address that the EU is, by all parameters, the most important economic partner of our country, making up two-thirds of our goods export volume, half of service exports and three-fifths of all foreign direct investments, adding that EU support is extremely important, primarily for the implementation of projects in the field of energy and road infrastructure.
He pointed out that in previous years, Serbia has made clear progress in 30 negotiation chapters, as noted in the European Commission’s annual report, and that no regression was recorded in any area. He said that "progress has been noted in numerous areas: economic strengthening of the country, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, combating corruption, as well as in terms of freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Aware of the importance of the reform process, primarily for the better life of our citizens, the Republic of Serbia, through the state policy led by the undisputed will of the people, by the President of the Republic Aleksandar Vučić and followed by the National Assembly and the Government of Serbia, continues to ensure progress in all spheres, while at the same time safeguarding our vital state interests".
He underlined that lasting investment in peace and stability is of utmost importance at the moment. He thanked the hosts for their extraordinary hospitality, emphasising that the relations between Serbia and Hungary have reached a historical high and that our country is sincerely proud of the friendship and strategic partnership built.
On the sidelines of the 11th Meeting of Speakers of Parliaments of South-Eastern Europe, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Vladimir Orlić had a number of bilateral meetings.
The host of the gathering, Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Laszlo Kover, had his first bilateral meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, which was a special honour for our country.
In the course of the meeting, the heads of parliaments once again confirmed that bilateral relations between Serbia and Hungary are at the highest level in modern history, thanks primarily to the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. They expressed willingness to continue with the intensive contacts between the two parliaments in the future, which would contribute to the further strengthening of strategic cooperation.
Speaker Kover stressed that Hungary supports Serbia's path toward European Union. "The European Union needs your country," Kover said. Orlić thanked Hungary for the strong support shown at every occasion, saying "entire Serbia and its people stand behind the words President Aleksandar Vučić repeated several times: Hungary will always have a sincere and loyal friend in Serbia".
Speaker of the National Assembly Vladimir Orlić had separate bilateral meetings with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana and Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić.
At the meeting with the Speaker of the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies Lorenzo Fontana, he discussed the further improvement of bilateral relations, which, they assessed, are close and dynamic.
Speaker Orlić emphasised that Italy is one of our country’s most important economic and investment partners, adding that in 2022 the two countries recorded an exceptional volume of goods exchange. "We want to continue the cooperation we have achieved so far with your country and jointly achieve even greater and more significant successes in the future", said the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. He was especially grateful for the help of the Italian Parliament’s Chamber of Deputies in sharing the entire documentation and results of the research into the consequences of the use of depleted uranium.
On the sidelines of the meeting the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia also met with Montenegrin Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandić, whom he once again congratulated on being elected to this important post. In the course of the conversation, they agreed that political dialogue at all levels shows good dynamics and the cooperation between the two parliaments is excellent, confirming their willingness to contribute to it additionally through personal involvement.
Speaker Orlić informed all the interlocutors in Budapest in detail about the difficult situation in Kosovo and Metohija and the terror Albin Kurti is carrying out against the Serbian people. "We demand that the terrible violence finally stops, that Pristina fulfils its obligations and finally establishes the Community of Serb Municipalities - exactly as it was signed eleven years ago. We expect everyone's support for our call. Serbia remains determined to return to dialogue, as the only real way to reach a solution and continues to pursue the policy of preserving peace, stability and working together for further progress - the policy of the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vučić," said Orlić.
After the meeting, the President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Vladimir Orlić, visited the Embassy of Serbia in Budapest, where he was welcomed by the Chargé d'affaires, Aleksandar Lončarević.
Assembly Speaker Orlić addressed the media where he summarized his impressions of today's visit and reiterated that Serbia has the support of Hungary on its path to the EU and that the relations between two countries are at the highest level in history.
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