More than 50 parliamentarians from the region, executive power experts, representatives of auditing institutions, as well as representatives of the civil sector took part in the 15th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum dedicated to strengthening the oversight role of the parliament in the defence and security sector. At the beginning of the proceedings the forum was addressed by the Vice President of the Montenegrin Parliament Suljo Mustafic, Montenegrin Defence Minister Milica Pejanovic Djurisic and Macedonian Defence Minister Talat Dzaferi.

Jadranka Joksimovic briefed the participants on the work of the Security Services Control Committee and the Committee’s recent activities relating to the oversight and control of the security services. Joksimovic emphasised the excellent cooperation between the Committee and independent state bodies. Since the 15th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum was dedicated to budgetary planning and parliamentary oversight of budgetary spending in the defence and security sector, Joksimovic stressed the need for an increased participation of the relevant parliamentary committees in the planning and oversight of budgetary spending in the defence and security sector.

Radojko Obradovic informed the participants of the forum on the scope and role of the Committee on Finance, State Budget and Control of Public Spending and how the budget of the Republic of Serbia is passed, as well as the Committee’s role in controlling the execution of the budget.

The 15th Cetinje Parliamentary Forum was concluded by the adoption of a Joint Statement stressing the need for a continued application of parliamentary oversight instruments and strengthening of civil control over the defence and security sector, as well as improving the adequate legislative framework for the implementation of parliamentary oversight in the sector. In the context of civil and democratic control of the defence and security sector they stressed the role of the parliament for a more transparent and efficient spending of budgetary funds in the defence and security sector.