Ragus, Afanasyeva discuss Serbia-Russia parliamentary cooperation

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Parliament Speaker Marina Ragus, who also heads the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, met with Yelena Afanasyeva, a member of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia, to discuss advancement of parliamentary cooperation as well as current political developments in the Western Balkans and globally.

Ragus wished Afanasyeva that her country may soon achieve just and sustainable peace, and reiterated that Serbia respected the rules of international public law.

Afanasyeva highlighted the significance of preserving traditional values and protecting historical remembrance in the world of today.

On behalf of the Russian people, she expressed gratitude for the Serbian president's attendance at celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.

Ragus said Serbia would not impose sanctions on Russia and was oriented towards cherishing history, tradition and culture and against historical revisionism.

She informed the Russian guest of current developments in Serbia and, especially, the difficult position of Serbs in Kosovo-Metohija and the challenges faced by Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ragus thanked Russia for supporting Serbia and its national interests in international forums, and noted that Serbia was conducting an independent policy and remained militarily neutral, and that it did not deviate from friendly ties with its international partners.

Ragus and Afanasyeva also discussed Serbia-Russia parliamentary cooperation within the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States.