BELGRADE DECLARATION on the cooperation of the Speakers of Parliaments of candidate countries for membership of the European Union
08 July 2026, 15:50
We, the Speakers of Parliaments of candidate countries for membership of the European Union, gathered in Belgrade on 7-8 July 2026 at the Inaugural Conference of the Speakers of Parliaments of Candidate Countries for Membership of the European Union, at the joint initiative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine,
proceeding from the conviction that the process of accession to the European Union is of strategic importance for our countries and their citizens,
reaffirming our commitment to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, in accordance with international law,
reaffirming our commitment to European values, democratic principles, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and the strengthening of democratic institutions,
emphasising the importance of parliaments as bearers of democratic legitimacy, legislative reform, and parliamentary oversight in the process of European integration,
aware that closer cooperation among the parliaments of candidate countries can contribute to more effective implementation of reforms, the exchange of experience, and a better understanding of common challenges,
adopt the following Belgrade Declaration:
1.We reaffirm our commitment to the European perspective of the candidate countries and their process of accession to the European Union, including the effective implementation of the EU acquis, as well as to the continuation of reforms in line with the principles and standards of the European Union.
2.We emphasise the importance of parliaments as key institutions in the process of European integration, through the adoption of legislation, democratic oversight, strengthening of institutions, and the representation of citizens’ interests.
3.We support the strengthening of inter-parliamentary cooperation, the exchange of experience and best practices, and regular consultations on issues of common interest in the process of accession to the European Union.
4. We agree to establish a regular mechanism of annual gatherings of Speakers of Parliaments within this cooperation format, as a permanent mechanism for political dialogue and parliamentary cooperation.
5. We support the development, within this cooperation mechanism, of all forms of inter-parliamentary cooperation, including cooperation among Speakers of Parliaments, committees, parliamentary groups, and parliamentary staff, in areas of common interest.
6. We welcome the readiness of the Parliaments of the candidate countries to continue joint activities aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, the rule of law, transparency, parliamentary dialogue, and European integration.
7. We agree that the next Conference of the Speakers of Parliaments of Candidate Countries for Membership of the European Union shall be held in Republic of Moldova in 2027.
8. We express our readiness to continue cooperation within the framework of the regular annual forum of the Speakers of Parliaments of candidate countries for membership of the European Union, in a spirit of trust, partnership, and shared commitment to European integration.
9. Finally, we reaffirm the open, inclusive and forward-looking nature of this initiative and express our readiness to continue discussing its future development together.
Adopted in Belgrade,on 8 July 2026.