Brnabic in Kyiv: Ukraine supports Serbia’s territorial integrity, we will not give up on the UN Charter

President of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabic stated today in Kyiv that Serbia and Ukraine are friendly countries and that Belgrade greatly values the fact that Ukraine respects Serbia’s territorial integrity, just as Serbia insists on the UN Charter and respect for international law, which is something it will not give up on.

At a joint press conference with the President of the Ukrainian Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, Brnabic said that there are many areas in which the two countries are already cooperating, but also many more where progress can be made to strengthen cooperation and friendship between them.

She emphasized that the goal of both countries is EU membership.

“Serbia supports Ukraine on its path to the EU, and you can count on us to share all our knowledge and technical assistance along the way. We also face our own challenges on that path, but we can overcome them all, you can count on us,” Brnabic said.

She added that the Minister for European Integration, Nemanja Starovic, informed her that the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation on the Path to EU Membership between Serbia and Ukraine has been finalized and is ready to be signed.

Brnabic recalled that Serbia and Ukraine maintain close, friendly ties, that Presidents Aleksandar Vucic and Volodymyr Zelensky have excellent and regular communication, and that Serbia has been sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while the wife of the Serbian President, Tamara Vucic, often visits Kyiv.

“Ukraine is a friend of Serbia. We greatly appreciate the fact that Ukraine respects Serbia’s territorial integrity, and in the same way, Serbia insists on respect for the UN Charter and international law. This is something we will always defend and never give up on,” Brnabic said, inviting her Ukrainian counterpart to visit Belgrade.

She added that her visit to Kyiv is a clear sign of cooperation and friendship between the two parliaments and the two countries, reminding that a Parliamentary Friendship Group with Ukraine operates within the Serbian National Assembly.

The President of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, thanked the President of the Serbian Parliament for her visit.

“Thank you for coming despite the attacks by the Russian Federation, thank you for being here,” Stefanchuk said.

He said that they discussed the issues and challenges facing both countries.

“We will take all steps necessary for our countries to become EU members. Thank you for all the support you are giving us,” Stefanchuk concluded.