Today, at a regular press conference at the National Assembly House, the National Assembly Secretary General presented the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia 2009 financial report to the public.

In addition to Secretary General Veljko Odalovic, the representatives of the media were also addressed by Administrative Committee Chairman Nenad Konstantinovic who thanked them for the timely coverage of the National Assembly’s 2009 financial report. He added that the Secretary General submits quarterly financial reports to the Administrative Committee, and this year for the first time the annual report will be debated at an Administrative Committee sitting after which it will be forwarded to the National Assembly for adoption. He reminded all present of the provisions of the Law on the National Assembly and the role of competent bodies in the planning and adopting of the National Assembly budget for next year. Konstantinovic declared the National Assembly’s work results in 2009 fascinating, stating that the current convocation has passed 313 laws and 90 decisions and other documents, which is more than all the other National Assembly convocations put together, form 2001 to May 2008. Work efficiency has increased manifold, with 164 days in session which is double the time proscribed by the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and National Assembly Rules of Procedure, saving 260 million RSD which indicates that the introduction of appropriate measures can decrease costs and still achieve efficiency.

Secretary General Veljko Odalovic stressed that the National Assembly is doing all in its power to make its operation as transparent as possible, adding that last year the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance declared the National Assembly the most open institution. Answering the journalists’ questions, he said that the reported imprecision in the financial report related to the recording of the 2008 representation costs in 2009. He stated that out of the total of 1 billion 566 million RSD allocated for expenditure, 1 billion 300 million RSD have actually been spent. Savings were achieved in travel expenses and daily wage for the days when the National Assembly was in session. In 2008 those costs amounted to 1 million 300 thousand RSD per day, and in 2009 only 710 thousand RSD per day. Also, in 2009 some of the activities for which funds had been allocated were not realised, and savings were also achieved in deputies’ and employees’ travel expenses the cost of which was borne by governmental and non-governmental organisations through donations. Contractual costs for the employment of expert personnel have been abolished, so that in 2008 those costs amounted to 8 million RSD and in 2009 0RSD.

Secretary Odalovic also stated the National Assembly House was currently being fitted with decorative lighting worth 69 million RSD, 50% of which, according to the contract, is paid by the National Assembly, and 50% by the City of Belgrade. He also added that the front façade of the National Assembly House is undergoing a revitalisation at present, which has been planned by this year’s budget. The deadline for the termination of the work is 90 days.