Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the EU Dusko Lopandic met on 15 April with the President of the Committer of Regions Mr. Ramon Luis Valcarel. The two sides discussed the current activities and modalities of cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Committee of the Regions. According to the provisions of the Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU, Serbia is entering into a new phase of relations with the Committee of the Regions, primarily through the constitution of Joint Consultative Committee (JCC). After the formation of the new Government of the Republic of Serbia and the appointment of members of the JCC on the Serbian side, the first meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee should be held by the end of this year. President of the Committee of the Regions Mr. Ramon Luis Valcarel has pointed out that the opening of accession negotiations with the EU represents a very important moment for Serbia in the process of strengthening administrative capacity, rebuilding infrastructure and promoting investment potential of country. Committee of the Regions will tend to be an active partner in this process, primarily through the promotion and strengthening of cooperation with regional and local levels, the exchange of good practices and experiences in the process of decentralization and the strengthening of the financial capacity of regional and local self-governments in Serbia.