The public hearing was opened by Environmental Protection Committee Chairman Dr Branislav Blazic who said that the conclusions the Committee is to adopt after the series of public hearings are to help formulate new legislation to better regulate the field of environmental protection.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Stana Bozovic spoke of the harmonisation process of domestic legislation with the EU acquis, stressing that setting up a well-managed recycling system is crucial in that context. The State Secretary announced the adoption of the Government’s plans for hazardous waste treatment and a new National Waste Management Strategy, adding that a financing plan for the recycling industry is also something that should be drawn up which is, she explained, one of the European Union’s chief demands.
The participants of the public hearing were also addressed by the President of the Recyclers’ Association of Serbia Ana Petrovic Vukicevic and representative of Jugo-Impex-E Recycling Vujadin Scekic who spoke of the problems of the recycling industry and plans for the upcoming period.
CEDEF Executive Board Chairperson Jovanka Arsic Karisic explained the principles of circular economy aimed at boosting competitiveness in companies which should lead to long-term economic development, new jobs and fostering ties between the public and private sector. Recycling is a fundamental component of circular economy, said Jovanka Arsic Karisic.
Prof. Dr Zoran Stevic of the Technical Faculty in Bor said that the state should invest in national projects and mini hazardous waste treatment plants, foster stronger ties with scientific research institutions and educate the population.
Nikola Egic, member of the Executive Board of Waste Industry Association “Hrabri cistac” (“Brave Cleaner”), informed the participants of the public hearing about the problems related to finding sites for recycling plants.
The participants of the public hearing, MPs and representatives of the non-governmental sector, concluded that the legislative framework regulating environmental protection needs to be amended and that the Environmental Protection Fund should be reinstated.

The public hearing was organised with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) via project Strengthening the Oversight Role and Transparency of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.