Parliamentary Forum Chairperson Dr Aleksandra Tomic said the objective of today’s meeting is an exchange of expert opinions and presentation of results of a range of expert analyses. The parliamentarians play a key role in the adoption of legislation that promotes energy efficiency, she said reminding the attending of the importance of implementing the goals listed in the Energy Community’s Renewable Energy Directive.

Natasa Dragojlovic, coordinator of the National Convention on the European Union, explained that discussion with like-minded individuals rarely yields results, which is why it is important to organize meetings like this one where the topics the Convention deals with are viewed from different perspectives. Dragojlovic said she was sure that today’s debate will result in useful recommendations and concrete results which should be followed by changes in the practical policies.

Energy expert Aleksandar Kovacevic shared estimations on the security of energy supply and investments into energy for the period 2020 – 2025, while the representative of the Serbian Energy Law Association Vuk Stankovic presented the findings of the conference “Innovations in the legislative framework and effects of the implementation of energy law”.

Representative of the AP Vojvodina Guarantee Fund Dr Goran Vasic spoke about guarantees for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, while the coordinator of the National Convention on the European Union Working Group 15 Lidija Radulovic spoke about the preparation of the report and 2020 Plan Proposal of the National Convention on the European Union Working Group 15.

Concluding the meeting after the discussion on innovative forms of energy financing, Dr Aleksandra Tomic stressed that it is essential to adjust the national policies to the energy transition of the European Union and the world, climate change and Sustainable Development Goals. It is also essential to monitor the legislative framework and effects of energy law, Tomic said adding that AP Vojvodina’s loan guarantee model is a best practice example for the towns and municipalities in Serbia. The new demands and challenges in the field require strategic plans and programmes, Dr Aleksandra Tomic said adding that digitalization in the field of energy is also very important as it can lead to detailed definitions and analysis from a multidisciplinary aspect.