Tuesday, 7 October 2008

First Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic convened the First Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008 for Tuesday, 7 October, starting at 1 p.



The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic convened the First Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008 for Tuesday, 7 October, starting at 1 p.m.

The National Assembly adopted the following agenda:

1. The Bill on the protection of personal data

2. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Additional protocol to the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data regarding supervisory authorities and transborder data flows

3. The Bill on the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense

4. The Bill on the responsibility of legal persons for criminal offenses

5. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “Belgrade Highway and Bypass”

6. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank “Belgrade Bypass”

7. The Bill on foreigners

8. The Bill on the protection of the state border

9. The Bill on the Confirmation of the Framework Contract of Loan concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Council of Europe Development Bank

10. The Bill on the Anti-Corruption Agency

11. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on financing of political parties

12. The Bill granting a debt guarantee by the Republic of Serbia to the German financial institution KWF for PC “Electroeconomy of Serbia” (Environmental protection measures in lignite-fired thermal power plants)

13. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education

14. The Proposals of the Decisions amending and modifying the Decision on the election of members of the Committees of the National Assembly

On the first day of work, having moved onto the agenda for the sitting, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, posed questions and requested information.

In the continuation, the deputies were addressed by the Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic on the behalf of the submitters.

Expounding the bills, Minister Malovic stated that their adoption creates the normative ambience for the protection of personal data, efficient combat against organized crime and corruption. She stressed that these bills are important for Serbia’s process of accession to the EU, harmonisation of Serbia’s legislation with EU legislation, and that they are particularly significant for the abolition of EU visas for Serbian citizens.

For the remainder of the day the National Assembly conducted a joint discussion in principle on the bills on the protection of personal data, the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense, the responsibility of legal persons for criminal offenses, the Anti-Corruption Agency, amending and modifying the Law on financing of political parties and the unified discussion on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Additional protocol to the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data regarding supervisory authorities and transborder data flows.

On the second day of work, 8 October, the National Assembly continued the joint discussion in principle and the unified discussion on items 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, and 2 on the agenda set for the sitting.

In the morning part of the work day the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, requested information and posed questions.

The National Assembly went on to complete the joint discussion in principle on the bills on the protection of personal data, the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense, the responsibility of legal persons for criminal offenses, the Anti-Corruption Agency, amending and modifying the Law on financing of political parties and the unified discussion on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Additional protocol to the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data regarding supervisory authorities and transborder data flows.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly commenced the joint unified discussion on the bills on the Confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “Belgrade Highway and Bypass”; the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank “Belgrade Bypass”; the Framework Contract of Loan concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Council of Europe Development Bank and the discussion in principle on the Bill granting a debt guarantee by the Republic of Serbia to the German financial institution KWF for PC “Electroeconomy of Serbia” (Environmental protection measures in lignite-fired thermal power plants).

On the behalf of the submitters the deputies were addressed by the Minister for the National Investment Plan Verica Kalanovic. Minister Kalanovic stressed that the realisation of these loans means financial support for four big national projects: two large infrastructural projects concerning the city of Belgrade, one project concerning a part of the bypass around Belgrade, one for the construction of 500 apartments and one project concerning the improvement of ecology around thermal power plants. The Minister called upon the deputies to endorse the bills because these bills will directly or indirectly benefit the citizens of Serbia.

The National Assembly went on to acknowledge the termination of mandate of deputy Veran Panic elected from the Serbian Radical Party – Dr Vojislav Seselj electoral list, before the end of the term he was elected for.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic called a break in the National Assembly’s activities for the duration of the direct broadcast of the session of the United Nations General Assembly, whose agenda dealt with the Draft Resolution of the Republic of Serbia requesting an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the legality of the unilateral declaration of independence of Kosovo-Metohija, so that the deputies may follow the discussion in the UN General Assembly.

In the continuation, the Speaker of the National Assembly applauded the acceptance of the Serbian Resolution by the UN General Assembly and congratulated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the achieved success.

By the end of the day the deputies had concluded the joint unified discussion and the discussion in principle on items 5, 6, 9 and 12 on the agenda set for the sitting.

On the third day of work, 9 October, the National Assembly conducted a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on foreigners and the Bill on the protection of the state border.

Before the commencement of the discussion the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, elaborated the bills on the behalf of the submitters. He stressed that joining the European Union is a strategic goal and national interest for Serbia, and it means adopting European standards in the field of state border protection and passing a new legal regulation on foreigners, which are at the same time the basis for putting the Republic of Serbia on the Schengen white list.

At the end of the morning part of work, the Speaker of the National Assembly concluded the joint discussion in principle on items 7 and 8 of the set agenda.

In the continuation, the National Assembly conducted a discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education.

The representative of the submitters of the Bill, Minister of Education Dr Zarko Obradovic, called upon the deputies to support the proposed amendments and modifications which provide for a reduction of number of points necessary for enrollment into the next year of studies. This is a short bill, but extremely important and the students expect that it will be passed quickly, the Minister of Education stressed.

By the end of the day the deputies concluded the discussion in principle on item 13 of the set agenda.

On the fourth day of work, 10 October, the National Assembly conducted a unified discussion on the Proposals of the Decisions amending and modifying the Decision on the election of members of the Committees of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, submitted by deputy groups.

Having concluded the discussion on item 14 on the agenda, the Chairperson, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gordana Comic informed the deputies that the National Assembly will rule on these proposals on Voting Day.

In the continuation of the First Sitting of the Second Regular Session (14 October), the National Assembly conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill on the protection of personal data to which the Ombudsman and deputies submitted amendments.

The Chairperson, Gordana Comic, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, reminded the deputies that during the sitting on 8 October the National Assembly acknowledged the termination of mandate of deputy Veran Panic, from the Serbian Radical Party - Dr Vojislav Seselj electoral list, before the end of term he was elected for.

At this sitting, based on the report of the Republic Electoral Commission and the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the verification of mandate of deputy Zoran Popovic from the Serbian Radical Party - Dr Vojislav Seselj electoral list.

At the sitting the National Assembly also acknowledged the termination of mandate of deputy Ferza Celovic from the electoral list For European Serbia – Boris Tadic, before the end of term he was elected for, and verified the mandate of deputy Bajram Sehovic from the same electoral list.

On the sixth day of work, 15 October, the National Assembly conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill on the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense to which the deputies submitted amendments.

The deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, requested information and asked questions about the organisation of the gathering of students in front of the building of the National Assembly concerning the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education.

In the afternoon part of the session, the Chairperson Gordana Comic, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, informed the deputies that authorised representatives and Deputy Groups’ Presidents, as well as the Chairman of the Assembly’s Education Committee have spoken to representatives of the students, stating that they will be briefed on everything in due time, before the discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education commences.

On the seventh day of work, 16 October, the National Assembly conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill on the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense.

In the course of the day, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, requested information on the issues concerning the increase of the price of gas in Serbia and requested the presence of the Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Skundric at the National Assembly.

In the afternoon part of work the Chairperson, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gordana Comic read the information of the Speaker of the National Assembly Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic to the deputies, notifying them that the sitting of the Industry Committee, which will be attended by the Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Skundric, will be held tomorrow, on 17 October 2008, starting at 1 p.m.

By the end of the day the National Assembly concluded the discussion in detail on the Bill on the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense.

In the continuation of the session, on the eighth day of work (17 October), the National Assembly conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill on the responsibility of legal persons for criminal offenses.

At the beginning, the deputies continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure, requested that a Resolution on Kosovo-Metohija submitted by 108 SRP, DPS and NS deputies be included into the agenda, as well as a sitting to discuss the state policy towards Kosovo and EULEX. They posed several questions about the price rise and enrollment of students into the next year of their studies.

In the afternoon, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on the Bill on the Anti-Corruption Agency.

The Chairman of the Industry Committee, Milorad Buha informed the National Assembly that a Committee sitting had been held where the Minister of Energy and Mining Dr Petar Skundric briefed the Committee members on the Information of the Ministry of Energy and Mining on the price of natural gas. The deputies continued to request information on issues concerning the rise in the price of gas in Serbia and demanded that the Government inform them on the measures it is implementing.

For the rest of the day the National Assembly conducted the discussion in detail on the Bill on the Anti-Corruption Agency.

On the ninth day of work, 18 October, the National Assembly concluded the discussion in detail on the Bill on the Anti-Corruption Agency and in the morning part of work conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on financing of political parties.

In the continuation, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on the Bill on foreigners.

On the tenth day of work, 20 October, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on foreigners. In the morning part of work the deputies continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure and request information on the reasons for the rise in the price of gas for households in Serbia.

The National Assembly went on to conclude the discussion in detail on the Bill on foreigners.

In the continuation Sitting (21 October), before the Speaker of the National Assembly Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic opened the sitting according to the agenda, discussion in detail on Bill on the protection of the state border, the deputies continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure and requested information on the reasons for the rise in the price of gas for households in Serbia.

On the twelfth day of work (22 October), during the morning part of the sitting, the deputies continued to ask to be heard, pointing out violations of the Rules of Procedure. They also posed various questions which will, according to the chairperson, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Gordana Comic, be forwarded to the relevant authorities.

By the end of the work day the National Assembly had completed the discussion in detail on the Bill on the protection of the state border.

Having completed the discussion in detail, Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, asked to speak on the behalf of the submitters, and, thanking all present for the constructive discussion, gave some explanations of the proposed solutions. Dacic called upon the deputies to endorse the bills on foreigners and the protection of the state border having in mind their importance, and stressed that they are in the interest of the citizens.

In the continuation, on the thirteenth day of work (23 October), the National Assembly conducted a discussion on the Bill granting a debt guarantee by the Republic of Serbia to the German financial institution KWF for PC “Electroeconomy of Serbia” (Environmental protection measures in lignite-fired thermal power plants), in principle and detail.

In the morning part of the sitting the National Assembly conducted a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education.

At the end of the discussion, the deputies were addressed by the Minister of Education, Dr Zarko Obradovic, on the behalf of the submitters. He called upon the deputies to vote in favour of the bill because it is in the students’ interest since it enables a larger number of students to enroll into the next year of studies.

Having completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic set 23 October 2008 as Voting Day, starting at 1 p.m.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, 23 October, the National Assembly adopted the bills on the agenda of the First Sitting of the Second Regular Session, in principle and detail.

Thus, 137 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on the protection of personal data and 136 in favour of the Bill on the Confirmation of the Additional protocol to the Convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data regarding supervisory authorities and transborder data flows.

The National Assembly adopted the Bill on the seizure of assets derived from a criminal offense by 128 votes, while 137 deputies were in favour of the Bill on the responsibility of legal persons for criminal offenses.

137 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on the Confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development “Belgrade Highway and Bypass”, and 136 in favour of the Bill on the Confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank “Belgrade Bypass”.

159 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on foreigners, and 154 in favour of the Bill on the protection of the state border.

On Voting Day the deputies also adopted: the Bill on the Confirmation of the Framework Contract of Loan concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Council of Europe Development Bank by 135 deputy votes, the Bill on the Anti-Corruption Agency by 134 deputy votes, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on financing of political parties by 135 deputy votes.

The National Assembly went on to adopt the Bill granting a debt guarantee by the Republic of Serbia to the German financial institution KWF for PC “Electroeconomy of Serbia” (Environmental protection measures in lignite-fired thermal power plants) by 134 votes, and the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Higher Education by 135 deputy votes.

The National Assembly then adopted the Proposals of the Decisions amending and modifying the Decision on the election of members of the Committees of the National Assembly submitted by Deputy Groups G17 Plus, New Serbia, Party of United Pensioners of Serbia, Socialist Party of Serbia-United Serbia, For European Serbia and Democratic Party of Serbia-Vojislav Kostunica.

On Voting day the National Assembly ruled on the violations of the Rules of Procedure pointed out by the deputies during the session, and concluded that the provisions of the Rules of Procedure had not been violated in any of the instances.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda and decided upon them, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the First Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008.



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thursday, 28 march
  • 9.00 - consultations of representatives of the parliamentary groups about the election of deputy chairpersons of the National Assembly working bodies (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, hall 1)

  • 10.00 - visit of the students of Stevan Dukic Elementary School to the National Assembly House (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

  • 11.00 - visit of the students of Drinka Pavlovic Elementary School Student Parliament to the National Assembly House (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square)

  • 11.00 - press conference of the Green-Left Front – Don’t Let Belgrade D(r)оwn Parliamentary Group (National Assembly House 13, Nikola Pasic Square. Central Hall)

  • 13.00 - the National Assembly Speaker meets with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Serbia (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, Speaker’s Cabinet)

Full event calendar