The Chairman of the National Assembly, Predrag Markovic, today held a formal news conference to present results of Assembly activities in 2005, and its plans for the coming year. Addressing journalists covering the Assembly, Mr Markovic said that the present convocation has adopted 208 laws; this was, according to him, not only the greatest number of laws passed in the history of Serbian parliamentarianism, but also a collective victory of all responsible deputies, whether their ‘name’ was Government or opposition. Mr Markovic added that the 208 laws were not merely voted into existence; rather, they were prepared at the Assembly, and discussed in co-operation with expert bodies engaged to draft laws on behalf of the previous and the present Governments, with support services and Assembly Committees, as well as with non-governmental organisations. Of the total number of laws passed, 95 are in accordance with Serbia’s obligations as a nation. A new set of Rules of Procedure was also adopted; it has been harmonised with European standards and OSCE recommendations, and has ensured greater working efficiency. The Resolution on Joining the European Union was unanimously passed; the Local Self-Government Committee was formed; and a Declaration was signed with the Hungarian parliament to implement the Tolerance Programme – a significant contribution by the highest legislative body to strengthening inter-ethnic tolerance in the region.

Referring to plans for the coming year, Mr Markovic underlined that in 2006 we were all about to face consequences of laws adopted over the previous year, and would all have an opportunity to witness their implementation. He announced that he would send letters to presidents of municipalities across Serbia to once again draw their attention to a number of pieces of legislation delegating powers, but also responsibilities, from the Republic to the local level. Mr Markovic also stressed that, as early as 4 January, the National Assembly would open a Legislation Harmonisation Division, a separate working body charged with harmonising laws and regulations with European Union standards and Council of Europe recommendations. This contribution by the parliament, a key institution in the process of European integration, will ensure compliance of national legislation with EU standards.

Mr Markovic also underlined that there were two kinds of fear of law in Serbia today: ‘There is fear on the part of various groups who know what the laws say, and who know that society will manage to stabilise, that their monopoly positions will be taken away, their space for manipulation will be curtailed, and control will be imposed. There is fear on the part of numerous institutions and members of the public, who do not know what the laws say and how much good they will bring, how much they will help and how a number of austerity measures will affect living standards, but also bring in foreign investment’, Mr Markovic concluded. He added that there was also fear from order and discipline at all institutions, and that the National Assembly was no different, and not only resembled the people, but shared its destiny and anxieties. The Chairman stressed that he regretted that the National Assembly Act was not adopted, as it would have regulated a number of issues regarding deputies’ rights and obligations, and thereby provided full public scrutiny over the highest body of government.

Mr Markovic announced that the National Assembly would commence intensive activity aimed at passing a set of laws to bring order, primarily, to the stock market, issues of natural resources, property issues, and decentralisation. Mr Markovic used this occasion to present to the public his amended property list (which can be downloaded here), and to wish all citizens happy holidays, in the certain knowledge that the coming year would be difficult, but that it would also bring solutions to many problems if we, as a society, are responsible, steady in implementing laws, and if we show solidarity.