Relations between Russia and Serbia
Maja Gojković reminded that this year marks 180 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and stated that these relations ”have always been friendly“.
“Both nations have always been on the same side of history in the fight for freedom, independence and the preservation of national identity. Today we can proudly say that our relationship has survived the test of time and common tragedies,” she said.
The Chairwoman of the National Assembly thanked Russia for its support during the World Wars I and II, the Serbian-Turkish War and others.
“Serbia does not forget that President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić was exceptionally honored this year by invitation to sit on an honorary place next to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the magnificent celebration of the Victory Day,” she said.
Maja Gojković informed that the Serbian people especially honored monuments to Russian and Soviet soldiers located throughout Serbia.
“We note with great sadness that in some countries the cases of the destruction of monuments to the victims of the World War II have become more frequent. Attempts to glorify Nazism seem even more dangerous. Therefore, we join the proposal to appeal to the United Nations and other international organizations with the initiative to recognize the victory over Nazism in World War II as a world heritage of mankind. We support the initiative to recognize memorials and monuments to those who fought against Nazism in all countries as world memorials of the World War II,” the head of the Narodna skupština said.
She also emphasized that Serbia is grateful to Russia ”for the principled consistent support of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia on the issue of Kosovo and Metohija, confirmed in UN Security Council’s resolution 1244. This is the biggest and most difficult issue for the Serbian people and state,” she said.
Economic interaction
Maja Gojković noted that “it's no coincidence that the stages of Serbian prosperity happen the same time as Russia takes a strong and active presence on the international arena”. “The strengthening of Serbian economy largely occurs as a result of the comprehensive improvement of our bilateral cooperation,” the head of the Narodna skupština said. She stressed the need to develop cooperation in all mutually beneficial areas.
Maja Gojković stressed the important role of the presidents of Russia and Serbia in this matter.
She also noted the importance of negotiations on the unification of the trade regime between Serbia and the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union.
According to her, the trade turnover between Russia and Serbia ”recorded an almost two-digit growth compared with the first eight months of last year“. At the same time, there are opportunities for further increase of this indicator. In particular, in the sphere of agriculture, infrastructure, as well as investments in the energy sector, including the construction of the TurkStream.
Cooperation of the State Duma and the Narodna skupština of Serbia
“Our cooperation with the State Duma and the Federation Council has reached its highest level, unprecedented for the Narodna skupština,” said Maja Gojković. It is implemented on the basis of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agreement with the State Duma of 2009, as well as through the establishment of the Commission on Cooperation in 2015.
“This Commission is a unique and highest form of parliamentary bilateral cooperation for the Narodna skupština. It provides an important incentive for both parliamentary and bilateral relations in general,” said Maja Gojković.
Cooperation between the parliaments of the two countries is very informative and successful in all international parliamentary organizations where the State Duma and the Narodna skupština participate, for example, in PACE, OSCE PA, Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Inter-parliamentary Union, Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy.
She informed that at the recent meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva, it was decided that in 2019 the IPU autumn session would be held in Belgrade and invited members of the State Duma to participate in this meeting.
The inadmissibility of sanctions in international relations
Serbia fundamentally and consistently advocates for the implementation of free and equal cooperation on the international arena without the imposition of sanctions, said Maja Gojković. “This is especially true for parliamentary organizations. A solution shall be sought within the framework of a dialogue, which should be confirmed as the best and only correct way to overcome open issues,” the head of the Narodna skupština believes.
“Serbia will never, under any circumstances, impose sanctions on Russia and the fraternal Russian people,” she said.
In accordance with this position, the delegation of the Narodna skupština in the PACE will continue to consistently advocate for the full return of the rights of the Russian delegation, said Maja Gojković.
Serbia's foreign policy
The Republic adheres to military neutrality. “This is the decision of our people,” she said. “Serbia has no desire and intention to join NATO. We have a very difficult history connected with this Alliance even to think about it,” said the head of the Narodna skupština.
At the end of the Maja Gojković’s speech, Chairman of the State Duma Viacheslav
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
Volodin
Vyacheslav Victorovich
The Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation of the eighth convocation. Elected in single mandate constituency № 163 (Saratov constituency - Saratov Oblast)
thanked her and the entire Serbian delegation, which arrived in Moscow. “Let us convey greetings to our fraternal Serbian people from our voters, citizens of Russia,” he concluded.
