The special meeting of the Standing Committee was devoted to further improvement of co-operation between the two parliamentary assemblies and special debate on the situation in Ukraine.

On the occasion, during his address to parliamentarians Mr Krivokapić said: “Process of building democracy and protecting human rights never ends, thus one of the advantages of our parliaments is the fact that they represent a forum for joint discussion on challenges, but also the place where we can reach a joint progress. New European democracies are in the constant need for the change of election frameworks, establishment and development of independent judiciary and also provision of free media environment.

Outside of European borders, countries such as Afghanistan, Egypt and Libya, need expertise that parliamentarians may provide in a number of questions, including the issue of establishing the functional parliaments. Inevitably, our common security is a requirement for the successful resolution of these issues.”

At the margins of the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mr Krivokapić met President of the Assembly Ms Anee Brasseur and Secretary General Mr Thorbjorn Jagland, and they assessed that there has been a considerable room for improvement of cooperation, particularly regarding election-monitoring missions, i.e. joint work in the field.

At the meeting with the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Ms Anee Brasseur, Mr Krivokapić underscored: “We have to co-operate and be active in facing a set of challenges that may be an obstacle to further development of stable, peaceful and free Europe, both in Ukraine and other parts”, adding that any plans to resolve the current situation "must begin with the full sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country", but also that the dialoge must be carried out within the institutions.

During the meeting with the Secretary General Mr Thorbjorn Jagland, the interlocutors stressed that it was necessary to unify experience and expertise of parliamentarians in respect of possible mediation in resolving the Ukrainian crisis. The sides agreed that future development of events in Ukraine was uncertain, and that it was necessary that parliamentary assemblies monitor elections announced for 25 May.

During the bilateral meeting, Secretary General Jagland particularly pointed out that societies characterised by inseparable power among branches of power, corruption and lack of rule of law were subjected to instability.