“The Belgrade Declaration established a new format for cooperation among the parliaments of EU candidate countries,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
09 July 2026, 11:37
A declaration on cooperation among the parliaments of countries seeking membership in the European Union was adopted in Belgrade.
This was announced by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, following the Inaugural Conference held in Serbia.
“The Belgrade Declaration reaffirmed principles that are important for Ukraine and are of fundamental significance today: respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in accordance with the UN Charter and international law,” Ruslan Stefanchuk stated.
He emphasized that the parliaments of Ukraine, Serbia, Moldova, Albania, Georgia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina have launched a new format of cooperation—one that is open, practical, and results-oriented.
In particular, the declaration provides for the establishment of a permanent mechanism for annual meetings of the speakers of the parliaments of candidate countries—to foster political dialogue, exchange experiences, support reforms, and strengthen the parliamentary dimension of European integration.
«We have a full understanding, mutual support, and a shared vision: the path to the European Union is not a competition between countries, but a space for partnership, mutual support, and moving forward together. The countries seeking to join the European Union are not competitors. We are partners,» Ruslan Stefanchuk stated.
He added that the next conference of speakers from EU candidate countries will take place in the Republic of Moldova in 2027.
