The meeting focused on the results and effects of the first phase of project “Strengthening the Oversight Role and Transparency of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia”, conducted in cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the United Nations Development Programme, and suggestions for its continuation during phase two.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee on Finance, State Budget and Control of Public Spending Veroljub Arsic thanked the guests for the support, highlighting the importance of continuing the cooperation for the improvement of all three of the National Assembly’s functions. He emphasised the importance of the Public Finance Supervision Portal being developed with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, which is expected to contribute to the National Assembly’s oversight role.

Speaking of the results of the project, Swiss Ambassador in Belgrade Jean-Daniel Ruch opined that the National Assembly’s legislative function has been strengthened and its transparency improved. He drew attention to the significance of bringing the National Assembly closer to the citizens, saying that the MPs as the elected representatives should continuously work toward it.

Steliana Nedera, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, opined that the joint efforts and excellent partnership with the National Assembly have improved communication with the citizens and resulted in positive changes especially at the local level.

European Integration Committee Chairman Aleksandar Senic thanked the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the United Nations Development Programme for their continuous support and assistance to the National Assembly. Speaking of the activities the Committee he chairs had conducted with the support of the United Nations Development Programme, he said that the Committee sittings held outside of the Assembly headquarters had yielded excellent results and drew attention to the programme’s significant support of the efforts to bring the National Assembly closer to the citizens.

Georgette Bruchez, Head of the Western Balkan Division at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, concluded that the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation would continue to give it support the National Assembly in the future.

The meeting was also attended by National Assembly deputy secretaries general Srdjan Smiljanic and Branko Marinkovic.