The bills were elaborated by representatives of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

Elaborating the Bill on Mercantile Shipping, Leposava Sojic, acting assistant minister of construction, transport and infrastructure, said that the bill regulates the transport and market access, legal status of the ship and relations on board, accountability and limited accountability for receivables in internal navigation and maritime receivables, contracts, navigational accidents, extra-contractual accountability, ship stoppage, enforcement and security on board, applicable law and exclusive competence of the judicial system of the Republic of Serbia in mercantile shipping disputes with a foreign element, recognition and enforcement of court rulings concerning mercantile shipping and supervision. Sojic said that the Bill harmonises the regulations with EU legislation and enables up-to-date operation in the sphere.

The Committee members accepted the Bill on Mercantile Shipping in principle.

Then Sasa Stojanovic, acting assistant minister of construction, transport and infrastructure, proceeded to provide the rationale for the Bill on Working Hours of Road Transport Vehicle Crew and Tachographs saying that it was a new piece of legislation in the legal system of the Republic of Serbia. Stojanovic added that it is harmonised with nine EU regulations, and after additional 11 by-laws are passed it will be fully in line with EU regulations. He said that the Bill improves traffic safety and the social standard of drivers and crew.

The Committee unanimously accepted the Bill on Working Hours of Road Transport Vehicle Crew and Tachographs, in principle.

The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Aleksandar Senic.