Vladimir Novikov: We have an honourable and responsible mission in Belgrade

Vladimir Novikov, deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, coordinator of international observers from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Collective Security Treaty Organization at the regular election of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the early election of deputies to the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, said, “We have an honourable and responsible mission in Belgrade: for the first time in the CSTO history, we are taking part in the monitoring of elections in a country that is an observer in our organization. We believe this is important and we are grateful to the leadership of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia for the invitation.”
The coordinator of international observers from the CSTO PA emphasized his colleagues’ diligence and understanding of the importance of the moment. “We will work with the utmost responsibility to provide the world community with an objective picture of the democratic and transparent election in the Republic of Serbia.” “We clearly understand the state leadership’s concern about possible violations organized by destructive forces on election day,” said Vladimir Novikov.
The coordinator of international observers from the CSTO PA stressed the need to respect democratic procedures during the election, saying the observers “sincerely understand and support the need to respect the democratic process of the election according to the current legislation of the Republic of Serbia and no other state.” They also “absolutely do not accept any outside political interference.”
“That is why we want to be present at the polling stations on the day of voting in order to record the successful completion of the election process and to state the legitimacy of all elections in order to further preserve peace and stability in the Republic of Serbia,” stressed Vladimir Novikov.