Serbian Speaker Heralds Government-Opposition Dialogue Assisted by European Parliament

Progressives' Official Maja Gojkovic Re-elected Parliament Speaker

The Serbian speaker, Maja Gojkovic, described as "welcome" an engagement by the European Parliament (EP) in the effort to restart a dialogue between Serbia's ruling and opposition parties.

Gojkovic also said on Sept. 18 that she had written about it to Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament David McAllister.

Speaking at a Sept. 18 press conference, the Serbian speaker said she hoped the modalities of new meetings between the ruling majority and the opposition would be discussed soon, alongside the initial topics for debate.

Gojkovic offered Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 as tentative dates for the beginning of talks.

She also said that all parliamentary parties and EP representatives were expected to take part in the dialogue, and that experts might join them at a later date.

"We are all aware of the deadlines ahead, and we'll immediately focus on elections, expected to take place next March. The theme includes the media, voter registration lists, campaign finance, etc.," Gojkovic said.

McAllister had said earlier that the EP was prepared to mediate in the government-opposition negotiations over the requirements of a fair vote, if the Serbian speaker, Maja Gojkovic, gave him the green light.

"If a positive answer comes from the speaker, we are prepared to support the dialogue," McAllister said.

When asked what kind of reaction she was hoping for from the parties that had promised to boycott the polls, Gojkovic said that it was up to those parties to decide, but after the elections were called, and when they verify the election conditions for themselves.

"Everything McAllister has suggested opens vast opportunities to improve what someone feels hasn't been improved properly. I think that the decision to boycott the election was premature, and that it might have been an excuse for them to avoid elections and show their true political strength," Gojkovic said.