Esteemed Mr. Minister,

Honoured guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great honour to open the conference on “Agribusiness in Serbia – Development Priorities in 2011” and address you on the behalf of the members of parliament and myself.

The current nature of the topic and the renowned participants provide the opportunity to best consider all the important issues from various aspects, so as to open a dialogue on the improvement of agriculture – an economic sector that traditionally realises a trade surfeit and contributes to Serbia’s economic stability.

Agriculture, as Serbia’s biggest development potential, has always played an important role in Serbia’s overall economic development, primarily in the transitional reform process. Let me remind you that the agriculture sector was the only one to realise positive results in 2009 and the only one not to suffer a significant negative impact by the economic crisis. According to the data from the previous period, agriculture will definitely continue its positive trend.

May I remind you that one of the first measures introduced by the EU in the attempt to assist the countries in the region, Serbia among them, is opening up its market to the placement of products from these territories. By opening up its market, the EU helped increase foreign trade, decrease foreign trade and balance of payment deficit, create an attractive economic ambience for investment into the region and increase the competitive position of their economies.

The time we live in brings various difficulties we face both in the sphere of politics and economy. Despite the past years’ economic growth, we are exposed to new challenges resulting from the global financial crisis. Therefore, it is very important to support the existing and stimulate new investment, which can be greatly aided by the National Assembly as the supreme legislative body, having in mind the fact that at the Assembly we pass laws creating the legal security for potential investors. By passing 16 laws this year, we have taken the first step in the sphere of agriculture. That is why further and constant dialogue between the state and entrepreneurs is necessary on the road to mutual support and understanding.

Of course, there is still room for legislative improvement, particularly in the sphere of reform and harmonisation with EU legislation, as well as strengthening the control over the implementation of the laws. The Assembly’s monitoring role is where the committees come to the fore. In the current convocation, the Agriculture Committee has held 28 sittings where the deputies considered highly important segments of the agricultural activity, discussed the problems farmers face, talked to representatives of the competent ministry, debated Bills and submitted amendments to them.

The legislative activity of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia is very intense. The multitude of adopted laws includes a large number of those aimed at improving the development of the agribusiness sector. In April this year we considered 13 Bills from the field of agriculture, water management and forestry, and we still have work to do regarding agricultural laws. In view of the fact that these laws make up 60% of the common European policies, agriculture is the sector which would have to bear a large portion of the load of accession and harmonisation of Serbian and European Union legislation.

Of the laws important for the agribusiness sector, I would like to mention the laws on trade, beer, wine, forests, waters, game and hunting, organic production, as well as the Law on Consumer Protection which will protect not only the farmers but the end users as well. Our Law on Food Safety received positive marks from the European Union. All these laws and by-laws passed in the last two years allow us to say that we produce healthy food which has a good chance of getting both to our citizens’ tables and beyond our borders.

The Assembly soon expects the Serbian budget rebalance when a large portion should be allocated to agriculture, and most of the money will be intended for the stimulation of dairy farming. Pursuing a development as well as socially responsible policy we will not allow small farms, the cornerstone of EU agriculture, to be endangered.

I am sure that the participants of the conference will help resolve the problem of insufficient quantity of some vital products on the market and create the conditions to stabilise the price of agricultural food products. The results of gatherings such as this should stimulate and initiate the real motivation to agricultural producers to produce quality products for both our citizens and those beyond our borders, and of course, to benefit from it.

Again, successful work.