BELGRADE, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Cyprus supports Serbia's aspiration to become the next member of the European Union (EU), as well as its dedication to preserving its territorial integrity and sovereignty, visiting President of the Cypriot Parliament Demetris Syllouris said Monday at Serbia's parliament.
Syllouris told MPs that this first visit of a Cypriot speaker to Serbia in the history of their relations aims to strengthen "extraordinary, fraternal relations" between the two countries that stretch back to the establishment of the Non-Aligned Movement.
"I welcome the progress Serbia has made in the course of the accession negotiations and expect the process to continue by opening and closing new chapters, as described in the conclusions of the European Council from June 2018," he said, referring to the document that reaffirms EU's commitment to the enlargement process and to the European perspective of the Western Balkans.
"Cyprus sees the accession of Serbia as the prerequisite for the Union to strengthen stability in the Balkans, which is inextricably linked to security and stability throughout Europe. We support this position in the institutions of the European Union," Syllouris continued.
He said that Cyprus also strongly supports Serbia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is consistent in its decision to reject recognizing Serbia's southern province of Kosovo and Metohija that unilaterally seceded in 2008.
Comparing Serbia's problem to that of Cyprus, Syllouris also thanked Serbia for the support to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus.
"I am sure that this visit will further strengthen our parliamentary cooperation and I hope that together we will lay the foundations for even more fruitful development of the relations of our countries in all areas, and for the benefit of our people," he concluded.
Syllouris also had a bilateral meeting with his counterpart Maja Gojkovic, where the two signed a memorandum of understanding between two parliaments aiming to strengthen parliamentary and overall relations, according to a statement issued by the Serbian parliament.
Thanking Cyprus for its support, Gojkovic said that Serbia also supports the territorial integrity of Cyprus. The "solution between the two communities there should be achieved by political means," she said.
Gojkovic and Syllouris called for stronger economic cooperation, stressing the importance of the upcoming business forum to be held in Nicosia by the end of this year.
