The objective of the two-day conference attended by parliamentarians and representatives of relevant institutions from Serbia, the region, Kingdom of Netherlands, OSCE regional offices and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in Serbia, is to intensify regional cooperation and emergency responses to natural and other disasters.

Marija Obradovic, Chairperson of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee who chaired the conference, said that emergencies are a serious new threat to regional security, one that requires better regional cooperation which this conference would hopefully encourage. She reminded the attending of the disastrous 2014 floods in Serbia and the region as an example why continued investment into defence systems is vital. In addition to an efficient emergency response system it is necessary to set up clear proactive preventive policies in the area both at the national and regional level.

Exercising their control role over the executive, the MPs should insist on making investment into emergency management number one state priority especially when the national budget is being passed, because, as she said: “Then the old saying ‘a stich in time saves nine’ would be proved in practice”.

Ambassador Andrea Orizio, Head of the OSCE Mission in Serbia, said that the regional parliamentary conference is crucial for the further development of the security sector in the region. The partnership between the civil sector and the institutions, he stressed would lead to stability and the OSCE would continue to support the reform of the security sector in Serbia. The Ambassador said that the national parliaments should take due part in emergency management, adding that the objective of the conference is to exchange experiences and build up emergency response and disaster prevention capacities so to be able to efficiently react to these security challenges.

Ola Andersson, Counsellor for the Development Cooperation Section of the Swedish Embassy in Serbia, said that keeping the people safe is one of the cornerstones of EU policy and developing civil control over the security sector is extremely important for EU accession. He added that Sweden is one of the biggest donors to Serbia and by assisting key reforms such as helping set up a functional security system it supports Serbia’s European path. He concluded that though there has been some progress in the field of emergency management, the area should be further advanced through cooperation at all levels which he has no doubt this conference will contribute to.

Predrag Maric, Assistant Minister of the Interior and Head of the Emergency Sector, said that advancing international and regional emergency management cooperation is one of the primary objectives of the state institutions. Speaking of regional cooperation Maric said that Serbia has far signed emergency management agreements with Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia and Romania and the Sector he is heading is taking part in the initiatives of regional and international organizations such as the UN, EU, NATO under the auspices of the Partnership for Peace and OSCE. Serbia has recognized the need to develop preventive actions and drawn a disaster risk and emergency management draft law to define clear preventive measures, efficient responses and recovery in case of emergencies. The draft law also defines the model for offering and receiving international humanitarian aid. Maric concluded that intensifying cooperation with the parliament and civil sector is extremely important to find the most effective emergency responses.