The Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009, convened by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, at the request of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, started on Thursday, 16 July, at 3 p.m.

The Request to hold the sitting specified the following agenda:

1. The Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law,

2. The Culture Bill,

3. The Bill on Cooperation with the International Criminal Court,

4. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions,

5. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Organisation and Jurisdiction of Government Authorities in Suppression of Organised Crime,

6. The Bill on Execution of Prison Sentence for Criminal Offenses of Organised Crime,

7. The Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Procedure Law,

8. The Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Code,

9. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism,

10. The Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing,

11. The Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids,

12. The Bill on Zoning and Construction,

13. The Bill on State Survey and Land Registry ,

14. The Bill on Social Housing,

15. The Bill on the Environmental Protection Fund,

16. The Bill on Public Health,

17. The Bill on Blood Transfusion,

18. The Bill on Organ Transplantation,

19. The Bill on Cell and Tissue Transplantation,

20. The Bill on Infertility Treatments by Bio-medical Aided Fertilisation,

21. The Bill on National Councils of National Minorities,

22. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”,

23. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development,

24. The Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

Before the commencement of work, deputies Dragan Todorovic, Milos Aligrudic, Jovan Damjanovic, Riza Halimi, Tomislav Nikolic, Vladan Batic and Aleksandra Jovanovic exercised their right under article 235 of the Rules of Procedure and requested information and explanations from competent institutions.

By a majority of votes, the National Assembly decided to conduct a joint discussion in principle on items 1 and 2, then a joint discussion in principle on items 3 through 9, a joint discussion in principle on items 10 and 11, a joint discussion in principle on items 12 through 15, a joint discussion in principle on items 16 through 20 and a joint discussion in principle on items 22 through 24 of the agenda.

Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic presented the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law and the Culture Bill to the deputies.

Explaining the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law to the National Assembly, Minister Bradic stated that the Bill’s amendments and modifications shall not compromise the freedom of the media, but shall raise the degree of their responsibility in order to protect the rights of the citizens which may be compromised by the media’s unconscionable actions. The Minister stated that the proposed amendments do not suspend the current legal norms which ensure the freedom of public information, ban censorship and limitation of the freedom of the media through abuse of public and private authority.

Presenting the Culture Bill, Minister Bradic stated that it represents an umbrella law the field of culture had been expecting for 17 years, which provides the legal framework for further development of culture in Serbia. This Bill should be passed because it provides a change of cultural practice, improves of the position of agents of cultural policy and gives a clear definition of the obligations and responsibilities of public administration towards them. Also, the Bill will provide the basis for the adoption of 12 by-laws necessary for its implementation, which should be adopted within a three-month period. The Bill also envisions the adoption of a long-term strategy of cultural development in the Republic of Serbia, formation of a National Cultural Council, as well as innovations in the manner of financing cultural institutions and expenditure of budgetary funds.

The deputies conducted a discussion in principle on the Bills amending and modifying the Public Information Law and on Culture for the remainder of the day.

On the second day of work, 17 July, the National Assembly completed the joint discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law and Culture Bill.

At the beginning of the sitting, the deputies paid their respects to the Serbian citizens killed in a traffic accident in Egypt on 16 July, by a minute of silence.

Discussing the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law, the deputies from the parties making up the parliamentary majority stressed that the amendments and modifications shall introduce order and responsibility into the field of public information and that they shall not compromise the freedom of the media. Opposition deputies, however, pointed out that they are repressive and contrary to European values, i.e. that they stifle the freedom of the media.

At the end of the discussion, Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic urged the deputies to vote in favour of the Bills stating that the Government is prepared to accept any amendments which would improve the laws.

The National Assembly went on to commence a joint discussion in principle on the seven judiciary Bills: on Cooperation with the International Criminal Court, amending and modifying the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions, amending and modifying the Law on Organisation and Jurisdiction of Government Authorities in Suppression of Organised Crime, amending and modifying the Criminal Procedure Law, amending and modifying the Criminal Code, amending and modifying the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and the Bill on Execution of Prison Sentence for Criminal Offenses of Organised Crime.

Elaborating the Bills, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic stressed that they introduce innovations into the criminal legislation which should contribute to a higher efficiency and improvement of the operations of judiciary bodies. Minister Malovic said that the adoption of these Bills sets the normative framework for the continued reform of the judiciary, in line with the interest and needs of the state and citizens.

By the end of the day, the deputies had completed the joint discussion in principle on the set of Bills form the field of criminal law.

Part of the sitting was attended by guests from Germany visiting the National Assembly, members of the delegation of the province of Baden-Virtemberg, headed by the Minister of State and European Affairs at the Government of the province, Prof. Dr Wolfgang Reinhardt.

On the third day of work, 18 July, the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing and Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids.

Presenting the Bills, Minister of Education Zarko Obradovic stressed that the basic goals of the modifications to the education laws are improved quality of the system of education, increased efficiency in the field, prevention of discrimination and violence in schools, as well as increased quality of textbooks. The adoption of these laws is necessitated by the harmonisation with the Serbian Constitution, European Union standards, as well as the need to propose new, better solutions as the current ones have not given good results, Obradovic said. He stated that the laws include marginalised groups into the education system, adding that inclusive education shall receive the significance it has so far lacked.

In the discussion, the opposition deputies criticised the Bills. It was their estimate that the procedure for adopting laws is in dispute, as well as a large number of specific solutions in the Bills. They objected to the fact that the laws have not undergone an adequate public debate, particularly in view of their significance, since, as they said, the Bills do not merely regulate the field of education but the future of the state as well. On the other hand, the deputies from the governing majority announced that they shall endorse the Bills, characterising the Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing as a modern law which contributes to the decentralisation of education. They listed the provisions allowing the education of ethnic minorities in their native language as a positive solution. These laws enjoy great support of the professional public and they systematically regulate the field of education in line with the principles of the European Union, they pointed out in the discussion. At the end of the debate, the Minister of Education responded to various questions and repeated that education needs to be modified, as well as the system of values in society. He stressed that procedure had been honoured and that the Bills had undergone public debate, finally promising that all 220 of the amendments submitted shall be carefully considered.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had concluded the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing and Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids.

On the fourth day of work, 20 July, the National Assembly completed a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on Zoning and Construction, Bill on State Survey and Land Registry, Bill on Social Housing and Bill on the Environmental Protection Fund.

Presenting the Bills from the fields of urban planning, housing and environment, Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic pointed out that the Government strives to maximally simplify and decrease the load and costs of the implementation of regulations, without compromising the space we live in. The Minister stated that adopting the Bill on Zoning and Construction will decrease the load of obligatory planning documents, making it easier for the state authorities and local self-government to fulfill the obligations necessary for their issuance. The Bill also foresees one deep and far-reaching reform in the area of property legal rights on construction land, Dulic added.

Presenting the Bill on Social Housing, Minister Dulic stated that the adoption of the law will provide the basis and institutional pre-conditions, as well as the strategic framework necessary for the development of a system of social housing in the Republic of Serbia. Presenting the Bill on State Survey and Land Registry, Minister Dulic said that the purpose of the new land survey is the creation of a real estate cadastre, particularly in areas covered by an old state survey, providing Serbia with up-to-date and modern land registry records.

The National Assembly went on to complete a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on Public Health, Bill on Blood Transfusion, Bill on Organ Transplantation, Bill on Cell and Tissue Transplantation and Bill on Infertility Treatments by Bio-medical Aided Fertilisation.

Presenting the Bills, Minister of Health Dr Tomica Milosavljevic briefed the deputies on the innovations and reasons for the adoption of these laws, emphasising that the proposed solutions are harmonised with the most modern standards, European Union regulations, appropriate conventions and directives regulating the field. The Bill on Public Health shall contribute to improve and protect the health of the population, protect their physical and mental status, conserve the environment and prevent health risk factors. Minister Milosavljevic stressed that the Bill on Blood Transfusion improves transfusion services and aims to establish new and higher standards in the area of providing adequate supply of blood, as well as blood components and the relevant institutions with better working conditions. The Bill on Organ Transplantation envisages a systematic regulation of the field of transplantation, organisation of institutions and creation of conditions necessary to perform transplantations in line with the highest standards. Milosavljevic stressed that the adoption of the Bill on Cell and Tissue Transplantation shall create the appropriate conditions to promote donations, increase the volume of cell and tissue transplantation, create cell and tissue banks, and improve the quality of health services. The Bill on Infertility Treatments by Bio-medical Aided Fertilisation regulates this procedure, ensures supervision over the implementation of the law and creates the appropriate conditions to treat infertility in this manner in line with the highest standards, Minister Milosavljevic explained.

On the fifth day of the session the National Assembly continued work by discussing the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities in principle.

Before commencing work according to the agenda, deputies Dragan Todorovic, Slobodan Samardzic, Miroslav Markicevic and Tomislav Nikolic exercised their right under article 235, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure and requested information and explanations from competent institutions.

The Bill on National Councils of National Minorities was elaborated by the Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Svetozar Ciplic, stressing that the Bill provides mechanisms for direct enjoyment of human rights. Serbia has 28 ethnic minorities and 16 elective ethnic minority councils and the Bill had been drafted in cooperation with them. The provisions of the Bill contribute to make the ethnic minority councils more responsible and provide them with mechanisms to exercise their rights, primarily through minority self-government. As an expression of ethnic minorities’ free will, the Councils shall be elected openly, which is enabled by special voters’ lists which shall not compromise the minorities’ constitutional and civil rights. The Bill also endows the councils with significant authority in fields such as education, health, information and usage of language and script, Minister Ciplic pointed out.

In the discussion, representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the Bill, expressing particular displeasure with the introduction of special voters’ lists for the open elections of national minority council members which they believe compromises human rights.

The deputies went on to complete the discussion in principle on the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities and commenced the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

The proposed legal solutions were explained to the deputies by Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic. She urged the deputies to adopt the Bills as they ensure a stable inflow of capital. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises” is intended for the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises by 250 million EUR under very favourable conditions. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development enables drawing 10.5 million EUR worth of funds for the development of health services in Serbia, primarily the rehabilitation of health centres in Kraljevo, Valjevo, Vranje and Zrenjanin. The Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade pertains to 90 million EUR worth of credit intended for the compensation of the budgetary deficit, payment of social benefits and continued financing of infrastructural projects.

The representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the proposed legal solutions, stressing that they push the country into heavy debt.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had completed the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

The National Assembly continues work on Wednesday, 22 July, at 10 a.m.

On the fifth day of the session the National Assembly continued work by discussing the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities in principle.

Before commencing work according to the agenda, deputies Dragan Todorovic, Slobodan Samardzic, Miroslav Markicevic and Tomislav Nikolic exercised their right under article 235, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure and requested information and explanations from competent institutions.

The Bill on National Councils of National Minorities was elaborated by the Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Svetozar Ciplic, stressing that the Bill provides mechanisms for direct enjoyment of human rights. Serbia has 28 ethnic minorities and 16 elective ethnic minority councils and the Bill had been drafted in cooperation with them. The provisions of the Bill contribute to make the ethnic minority councils more responsible and provide them with mechanisms to exercise their rights, primarily through minority self-government. As an expression of ethnic minorities’ free will, the Councils shall be elected openly, which is enabled by special voters’ lists which shall not compromise the minorities’ constitutional and civil rights. The Bill also endows the councils with significant authority in fields such as education, health, information and usage of language and script, Minister Ciplic pointed out.

In the discussion, representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the Bill, expressing particular displeasure with the introduction of special voters’ lists for the open elections of national minority council members which they believe compromises human rights.

The deputies went on to complete the discussion in principle on the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities and commenced the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

The proposed legal solutions were explained to the deputies by Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic. She urged the deputies to adopt the Bills as they ensure a stable inflow of capital. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises” is intended for the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises by 250 million EUR under very favourable conditions. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development enables drawing 10.5 million EUR worth of funds for the development of health services in Serbia, primarily the rehabilitation of health centres in Kraljevo, Valjevo, Vranje and Zrenjanin. The Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade pertains to 90 million EUR worth of credit intended for the compensation of the budgetary deficit, payment of social benefits and continued financing of infrastructural projects.

The representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the proposed legal solutions, stressing that they push the country into heavy debt.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had completed the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

On the fifth day of the session the National Assembly continued work by discussing the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities in principle.

Before commencing work according to the agenda, deputies Dragan Todorovic, Slobodan Samardzic, Miroslav Markicevic and Tomislav Nikolic exercised their right under article 235, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure and requested information and explanations from competent institutions.

The Bill on National Councils of National Minorities was elaborated by the Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Svetozar Ciplic, stressing that the Bill provides mechanisms for direct enjoyment of human rights. Serbia has 28 ethnic minorities and 16 elective ethnic minority councils and the Bill had been drafted in cooperation with them. The provisions of the Bill contribute to make the ethnic minority councils more responsible and provide them with mechanisms to exercise their rights, primarily through minority self-government. As an expression of ethnic minorities’ free will, the Councils shall be elected openly, which is enabled by special voters’ lists which shall not compromise the minorities’ constitutional and civil rights. The Bill also endows the councils with significant authority in fields such as education, health, information and usage of language and script, Minister Ciplic pointed out.

In the discussion, representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the Bill, expressing particular displeasure with the introduction of special voters’ lists for the open elections of national minority council members which they believe compromises human rights.

The deputies went on to complete the discussion in principle on the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities and commenced the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

The proposed legal solutions were explained to the deputies by Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic. She urged the deputies to adopt the Bills as they ensure a stable inflow of capital. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises” is intended for the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises by 250 million EUR under very favourable conditions. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development enables drawing 10.5 million EUR worth of funds for the development of health services in Serbia, primarily the rehabilitation of health centres in Kraljevo, Valjevo, Vranje and Zrenjanin. The Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade pertains to 90 million EUR worth of credit intended for the compensation of the budgetary deficit, payment of social benefits and continued financing of infrastructural projects.

The representatives of opposition deputy groups criticised the proposed legal solutions, stressing that they push the country into heavy debt.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had completed the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Bill on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

On the sixth day of work, 22 July, the National Assembly conducted a discussion on the particulars of the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law.

At the beginning of the proceedings, the deputies complained of violations of the Rules of Procedure and expressed displeasure at the Government’s failure to offer its opinion on the submitted amendments in a timely manner.

In the discussion on the amendments, SRP, SPP and DPS deputies requested that the Bill be withdrawn from assembly procedure due to the proposed solutions being unconstitutional and undemocratic. They pointed out that the Government had submitted six amendments to the total of seven amended articles, thus changing 90% of the Bill. According to them, this violates the constitutional procedure for adopting laws.

The National Assembly concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law.

The National Assembly went on to conduct a discussion on the particulars of the Culture Bill. The opposition deputies criticised the Bill estimating that culture in Serbia is in a very bad condition. The stated that cultural institutions should be depolilticised and Serbia should create a new cultural model. In the discussion, it was also proposed that the National Assembly should pass a strategy of cultural development.

At the end of the discussion, Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic reminded the deputies how important it was to pass this law. He said that the Ministry of Culture had accepted a large number of amendments submitted by almost all parliamentary parties.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Culture Bill.

The National Assembly commenced the seventh day of work (23 July) by a discussion on the particulars of the set of judiciary Bills.

At the beginning of the sitting, deputies Djuro Peric, Riza Halimi, Vladan Batic, Miroslav Markicevic, Judita Popovic, Stefan Zankov, Radojko Obradovic and Aleksandar Martinovic exercised their right to ask parliamentary questions and posed several questions to the ministers of the Serbian Government and the National Assembly Speaker.

The National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of the Bill on Cooperation with the International Criminal Court, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Organisation and Jurisdiction of Government Authorities in Suppression of Organised Crime, the Bill on Execution of Prison Sentence for Criminal Offenses of Organised Crime, as well as the Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Procedure Law.

On the eight day of work, 24 July, the National Assembly continued the discussion on the particulars of the judiciary Bills.

In the morning part of the proceedings, the deputies completed the discussion on the amendments submitted to the Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Code and the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly also completed the discussion on the amendments submitted to the Bill on the Bases of the System of Education.

On the ninth day of work, 25 July, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of the Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids and the Bill on Zoning and Construction.

On the tenth day of work, 26 July, in the morning part of the proceedings the National Assembly completed a discussion on the Bill on State Survey and Land Registryin detail.

The opposition deputies stated that the evaluation of real estate should not be done by the Republic Geodesic Institute, but by the Public Revenue Directorate instead. They also requested that a deadline be specified for the issuance of certificate of registry of buildings into the state registry. The Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Oliver Dulic stressed that the bill is good as it envisages a simpler registry procedure and introduces a new reference system for precise positioning of sites.

The National Assembly then concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bill on State Survey and Land Registryand commenceda discussion on the particulars of the Bill on Social Housing.

The deputies requested that the law specify which categories shall receive preferential treatment when being granted social housing and proposed that they include all socially sensitive social groups. SRP deputies deemed it unnecessary to form an agency for the implementation of the law as it would increase clerical work and additionally burden the budget.

Minister Dulic said that the law regulates a completely new field, that he Government had accepted a large number of deputies’ amendments and that it should be passed as soon as possible.

Having concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bill on Social Housing, the National Assembly commenced a discussion on the amendments to the Bill on the Environmental Protection Fund.

The deputies were most interested in the allocation of resources from the fund and requested that a provision on the openness of the expenditure of funds be included into the law.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bill.

On the eleventh day of work, 27 July, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars on the five health bills.

In the morning part of work, the National Assembly concluded the discussion on the amendments to the Bill on Public Health, Bill on Blood Transfusion and Bill on Organ Transplantation, and commenced a discussion on the particulars on the Bill on Cell and Tissue Transplantation.

During the discussion on the amendments, the opposition deputies complained of violations of the Rules of Procedure expressing disapproval over the absence of the Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic. They characterised discussion without the authorised submitter as undemocratic and arrogant behaviour and voiced various objections to the Bills on the occasion.

Deputy Miroslav Markicevic was reprimanded twice for violation of order at a National Assembly sitting and inappropriate conduct.

Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, who was chairing the sitting, informed the deputies that part of the sitting is being viewed from the Gallery of the Great Hall by the pupils of the elementary school form Zitiste visiting the National Assembly House.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly completed the discussion on the particulars on the Bill on Cell and Tissue Transplantation and Bill on Infertility Treatments by Bio-medical Aided Fertilisation.

On the twelfth day of work, 28 July, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of the Bill on National Councils of National Minorities.

Before commencing work according to the agenda, deputies Jorgovanka Tabakovic, Djuro Peric, Miroslav Markicevic, Aleksandar Martinovic, Vesna Pesic, Milos Aligrudic, Vladan Batic and Sasa Dujovic exercised their right under article 235, paragraph 2 of the Rules of Procedure and requested information and explanations from competent institutions.

On the thirteenth day of work, 29 July, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of the Bills on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”; the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

As the National Assembly had completed the discussion in principle and detail on all the items on the agenda, the National Assembly Speaker, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that they shall be duly notified regarding the Voting Day on all the items on the agenda on the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly in 2009.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, 31 August, the deputies voted in principle and detail on the items on the agenda for the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009.

The National Assembly adopted the Bill amending and modifying the Public Information Law and Culture Bill in their entirety.

By a majority of parliamentary votes, the National Assembly adopted six judiciary laws: the Bill on Cooperation with the International Criminal Court, Bill amending and modifying the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions, Bill amending and modifying the Law on Organisation and Jurisdiction of Government Authorities in Suppression of Organised Crime, Bill on Execution of Prison Sentence for Criminal Offenses of Organised Crime, Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Procedure Law and Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Code.

On Voting Day, by a majority of votes, the National Assembly adopted the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism, Bill on the Bases of the System of Education and Upbringing and Bill on Textbooks and Other Teaching Aids.

By a majority of votes, the National Assembly adopted the four environmental bills: on Zoning and Construction, State Survey and Land Registry, Social Housing and Environmental Protection Fund.

The deputies went on to adopt the five health bills by a majority of votes: Bill on Public Health, on Blood Transfusion, on Organ Transplantation, on Cell and Tissue Transplantation and on Infertility Treatments by Bio-medical Aided Fertilisation,

The Bill on National Councils of National Minorities was also adopted in its entirety.

By a majority of votes, the National Assembly also adopted the four bills confirming financial agreements: Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank and the National Bank of Serbia “Apex Loans for small and medium-sized enterprises”, on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (additional financing for the health system project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and on the Debt Contract between the Republic of Serbia and Alpha Bank Serbia a.d., Vojvodjanska Banka a.d. Novi Sad and Piraeus Bank a.d. Belgrade.

Having voted on all the items on the agenda for the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly in 2009, the National Assembly ruled on the violations of the Rules of Procedure the deputies complained of during the session, and decided that the Rules of Procedure had not been violated in any of the cases.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda and ruled on them, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, concluded the Eleventh Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly in 2009.