The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Maja Gojković met today with the Chairperson of the Russian Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko.
Gojkovic thanked Matviyenko for taking part in the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Belgrade, stressing that the relations between Serbia and the Russian Federation are good and friendly, with no outstanding issues and that the two countries enjoy good overall cooperation, not just political and economic.
Gojkovic and Matviyenko said that the meetings and talks of the two presidents, Aleksandar Vucic and Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, contribute to the advancement of good cooperation, adding that the parliaments talk and advance relations at the legislative level as well.
Matviyenko thanked her host for the hospitality extended to the Russian delegation at the Belgrade IPU Assembly, congratulating the vast and good organization of this important event, which is both a huge honour and responsibility for any country. Matviyenko said that the very number of high-level delegations in attendance is testament to the deep respect for the Serbian Parliament and Serbia as one of the oldest members of the IPU, and to Serbia’s global image which is vital for its positioning in the international arena.
Matviyenko said that the Russian Federation Council will continue to promote good relations with Serbia, stressing that the relations between the two countries have been good across the board, especially in the past few years, that they have a strategic character and mentioned that Serbia will be signing a Free Trade Zone Agreement in Moscow on 25 October.
Gojkovic and Matviyenko stressed the importance of maintaining international law, which is the overreaching theme of the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Belgrade, and Matviyenko said that Serbia had experienced the rule of force in the NATO bombings. Matviyenko said that parliamentarians have their role to contribute to the protection of international law and the UN has to play the key role in international relations. Gojkovic and Matviyenko agreed that the IPU Assembly in Belgrade confirms Serbia as a sovereign and independent state that pursues its own policy and can be visited by representatives from any country in the world.
Gojkovic and Matviyenko agreed that it is vital to combat historical revisionism and keep the memory of fighting side by side in WW2 and in that context emphasized the importance of organizing “Immortal Regiment” marches as a way to keep historic memory alive.