On the second day of work, 14 May, the National Assembly continued the discussion in principle on the Bill on Road Traffic Safety.

The deputies agreed with the estimate that it is necessary to pass a new law on road traffic safety, but voiced a number of objections and suggestions to the Bill. The opposition deputies expressed doubt that some of the proposed solutions would help increase traffic safety and lower the number of traffic accidents because they are incomplete and impractical considering the bad road infrastructure and age of the cars in Serbia. Therefore, it is their estimate that bigger investment into the transport industry is an important preventive measure and a condition for increased traffic safety.

The deputies stated that the new law gives the traffic police too much authority, but provides no provisions on the internal control of the police in charge of traffic safety which are needed to suppress corruption more efficiently.

The ruling coalition deputies stressed that the new Bill regulates the traffic safety matter in a modern way and in compliance with European standards and that the main goal of the Bill is preventive action aimed at decreasing the number of traffic accidents and casualties. This was reiterated by Minister of Infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjic.

At the end of the debate, Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic said that the law neither allows the police monopoly over traffic, nor is its goal to make the fines more severe, it simply aims to decrease the number of traffic accidents.

Afterwards, the National Assembly completed the discussion in principle on the Bill on Road Traffic Safety.

The National Assembly went on to conduct a unified discussion in principle on the Bill on General Product Safety and the Bill on Electronic Commerce. Elaborating the Bills, Minister of Trade and Tourism Slobodan Milosavljevic stressed that they introduce the highest international standards. Thus the Bill on General Product Safety will enable the establishment of a rapid alert system on products the quality of which is not up to standards and its connection to the corresponding European system. This will raise public health protection to a higher level and prevent products considered unsafe by the European Union from reaching the Serbian market.

About the Bill on Electronic Commerce, Minister Milosavljevic said that it will introduce a system of trade over the internet and harmonise the area with European Union practice.

In the discussion in principle the deputies endorsed both Bills, estimating that they will contribute to the quality of life and health in Serbia.

On the third day of the session, 15 May, the National Assembly continued work by a joint discussion in principle on the Bills on Agriculture and Rural Development; on Food Safety; on Plant Health; on Plant Nutrition and Soil Improvement Products; Plant Protection Products; on Wine; on Brandy and Other Alcoholic Beverages; on Ethanol; on Public Warehouses for Agricultural Products; on Genetically Modified Organisms; amending and modifying the Law on Forest Reproductive Material; on Livestock; on Animal Welfare and amending and modifying the Law on Agricultural Soil and on Protection of Plant Breeders’ Rights.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sasa Dragin presented the proposed Bills to the deputies. He stressed that the proposed set of agricultural laws fundamentally regulates and delineates the future development of this economic branch in Serbia. The specific legal solutions are adjusted to the needs of agricultural producers and the need to harmonise Serbia’s legal system with European legislation.

By the end of the day, the deputies had concluded the joint discussion in principle on items 4 through 18 of the agenda set for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly in 2009.

On the fourth day of work, 18 May, the National Assembly completed a discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Foreign Affairs Law.

After the recess, the National Assembly went on to commence a joint unified discussion in principle on the 38 Bills confirming various international conventions and agreements. The deputies completed a discussion on the Bill on the Confirmation of the Revised European Social Charter, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Strasbourg Agreement Concerning the International Patent Classification of March 24, 1971, as amended on September 28, 1979, the Bill on the Confirmation of Convention No.167 of the International Labour Organisation on the Safety and Health in Construction, the Bill on the Confirmation of Convention No.187 of the International Labour Organisation on the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on the Privileges and Immunities of the OPCW, the Bill on the Confirmation of the European Convention on Cross-Border Television, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Vienna Agreement Establishing an International Classification of the Figurative Elements of Marks of June 12, 1973, as amended on October 1, 1985, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement on Military Cooperation between the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of the Republic of Austria represented by the Federal Minister of Defence, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of the United States of America on cooperation Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction and Improvement of Defence and Military Relations, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of Republic of Serbia and the Government of the United States of America on Status Protections and Access to and Use of Military Infrastructure in the Republic of Serbia, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defence between the Government of Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Geneva Act of the Hague Agreement Concerning the International Registration of Industrial Designs Adopted by the Diplomatic Conference on July 2, 1999, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Documents amending the International Labour Organisation Statute of 1997, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement on Cooperation in the Filed of Culture between the Government of Republic of Serbia and the Government of Montenegro, the Bill on the Confirmation of the European Convention on the Protection of the Archaeological Heritage (Revised), the Bill on the Confirmation of the Protocol between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Greece modifying the Contract between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Greece on Avoidance of Double Taxation Regarding Income and Property Tax, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Contract between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania on Avoidance of Double Taxation Regarding Income and Property Tax, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Slovakia on the Protection of War Graves, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Trade Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement on Supply and Reciprocal Services (USA-SRB-01) between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia on the behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Department of Defence of the United States of America, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the State of Israel on Trade and Economic Cooperation, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on the Regulation of Obligations of ex-USSR in the settlement of goods exchange between ex-USSR and ex-SFRY, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank “Municipal and Regional Infrastructure Loan”, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Financial Contract between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank for the Clinical Centres/B Project, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Council of Ministers of Serbia and Montenegro and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Succession of Bilateral Agreements between the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia and the People’s Republic of China concluded in the period between 1955 and April 27, 1992, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of Serbia and the European Community associating the Republic of Serbia to the European Community Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007-2013), the Bill on the Confirmation of the Convention on Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on the Opening of the Border Crossing Petacinci (the Republic of Serbia) – Bankja (the Republic of Bulgaria), the Bill on the Confirmation of the Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria on the Opening of the Border Crossing Novo Korito (the Republic of Serbia) – Salas (the Republic of Bulgaria), the Bill on the Confirmation of the Convention between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of Romania on the Renewal, Marking and Maintenance of the Border Line and Border Markings on the Mutual State Border, the Bill on the Retraction of the Reservation against the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, the Bill on the Confirmation of the World Postal Union Acts and the Bill on the Confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Programmatic Private and Financial Development Policy Loan) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

In the morning part of the session on the sixth day of work, 20 May, the National Assembly completed a discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Broadcasting Act, submitted by a group of 121 deputies. Elaborating the proposed modifications, the head of the Deputy Group For European Serbia Nada Kolundzija stated that they should enable the institution to function more efficiently. The modifications were initiated by the Culture and Information Committee at the sitting of 16 February 2009 and they concern the nomination process for the election of members of the Republic Broadcasting Agency Council, Nada Kolundzija said and appealed to the deputies to endorse the modifications to the Act.

The National Assembly went on to complete a discussion on the Nomination of Candidates for the election of a member of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency living and working on the territory of Autonomous Province Kosovo-Metohija. Zivojin Rakocevic of Gracanica was nominated as RBA Council member.

The National Assembly also completed a discussion on the Nomination of Candidates for the election of a member of the Anti-Corruption Agency Committee. The President of the Republic, Boris Tadic nominated Prof. Dr Radmila Vasic as Agency Committee member.

On the seventh day of work, 21 May, the National Assembly completed a joint discussion on the Proposal of the Decision on Termination of Judicial Office, submitted by the Committee on Justice and Administration.

The deputies went on to complete a joint discussion on the Proposal of the Decision on Termination of Office of Deputy Public Prosecutor, submitted by the Committee on Justice and Administration.

On the eighth day of work, 22 May, the National Assembly commenced the discussion on the particulars of the items on the agenda for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session in 2009.

By the end of the day the deputies had completed the discussion on the amendments submitted to the first item on the agenda – the Bill on Road Traffic Safety.

The National Assembly commenced its ninth day of work (25 May) by discussing the particulars of the Bill on General Product Safety.

In the morning part of work, the deputies completed the discussion on the particulars of this Bill, as well as the Bill on Electronic Commerce.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic, chairing the sitting, informed the National Assembly that a group of young politicians from Banat is following the sitting from the gallery of the plenary hall, whom she greeted on the behalf of the deputies and her own behalf.

The deputies went of to commence a discussion on the particulars of the 15 agriculture bills included in the agenda – items 4 through 18, on which the deputies had already completed a joint discussion in principle. This part of the sitting was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Sasa Dragin, who, as a representative of the submitters, gave additional explanations and elaborated the endorsement of specific amendments.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bills on Agricultural and Rural Development and on Food Safety.

On the tenth day of work, 26 May, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of eighth more agriculture bills. The deputies considered the amendments to the Bills on Plant Health, on Plant Nutrition and Soil Improvement Products, on Plant Protection Products and on Wine, as well as the Bill on Brandy and Other Alcoholic Beverages.

The National Assembly went on to complete a discussion on the particulars of the Bills on Ethanol, on Public Warehouses for Agricultural Products and on Genetically Modified Organisms.

Minister of Agriculture Sasa Dragin responded to the large number of amendments the deputies had submitted to this set of bills.

On the eleventh day of work, 27 May, the National Assembly completed a discussion on the particulars of five agriculture bills. The deputies considered the amendments to the Bills amending and modifying the Law on Forest Reproductive Material, on Livestock, on Animal Welfare, amending and modifying the Law on Agricultural Soil, as well as the Bill on Protection of Plant Breeders’ Rights.

National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that a group of pupils, representatives of high-school students’ parliaments from Leskovac currently in a study visit to the National Assembly House, is viewing the sitting from the gallery of the plenary hall.

On the twelfth day, 28 May, the National Assembly continued work by discussing the particulars of the Bill amending and modifying the Foreign Affairs Law.

Before commencing work according to the agenda, deputies Riza Halimi, Zoran Ostojic, Milos Aligrudic, Tomislav Nikolic and Dragan Todorovic exercised their right under article 235 of the Rules of Procedure, to request information and explanations from competent institutions.

National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that representatives of cultural and public life and cultural institutions in a working visit to the National Assembly as part of the Culture and Information Committee sitting held in the form of a public hearing on the Culture Bill, are viewing part of the sitting from the gallery of the Great Hall.

In the morning part of work, the deputies completed the discussion on the amendments submitted to the Bill amending and modifying the Foreign Affairs Law. The Chairman, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Nikola Novakovic informed the deputies that, under article 145, paragraph 1 of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure, the Government had retracted the Bill on Official Statistics and Bill on 2011 Census on Population, Households and Dwellings from procedure.

By the end of the day the deputies had also completed a discussion on the particulars of the Bill on Official Statistics and the Bill on 2011 Census on Population, Households and Dwellings, submitted by the Government of the Republic of Serbia, as well as the Bill Banning Manifestations by Neo-Nazi or Fascist Organisations and Associations and the Display of Neo-Nazi or Fascist Symbols and Paraphernalia, submitted by deputies Nenad Canak, Bojan Kostres, Radovan Radovanovic, Aleskandra Jerkov and Olena Papuga.

On the thirteenth day, 29 May, the National Assembly continued work by discussing the particulars of the Bill amending and modifying the Broadcasting Act. Since no amendments had been submitted to the Bill, the National Assembly Speaker concluded the discussion on the particulars of the Bill.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly in 2009, National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, in line with article 85 paragraph 3 of the Rules of Procedure, set 29 May 2009 as Voting Day on the items on the agenda for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly in 2009, starting at 10.30 a.m.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, 29 May, the deputies voted in principle and on the particulars of the items on the agenda for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009.

By 126 deputy votes, the National Assembly adopted the Bill on Road Traffic Safety in its entirety. The National Assembly adopted the Bill on General Product Safety by 127 deputy votes and 128 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on Electronic Commerce.

The National Assembly adopted the 15 agricultural bills by a majority of votes: on Agriculture and Rural Development, on Food Safety, on Plant Health, on Plant Nutrition and Soil Improvement Products, Plant Protection Products, on Wine, on Brandy and Other Alcoholic Beverages, on Ethanol, on Public Warehouses for Agricultural Products, on Genetically Modified Organisms, amending and modifying the Law on Forest Reproductive Material, on Livestock, on Animal Welfare, amending and modifying the Law on Agricultural Soil and on Protection of Plant Breeders’ Rights.

On Voting Day, the National Assembly adopted the Bill amending and modifying the Foreign Affairs Law in its entirety, by 126 deputy votes.

By a majority of all deputy votes, the National Assembly also adopted the 38 bills confirming various international agreements, conventions, financial contracts and other acts.

The National Assembly adopted the Bill Banning Manifestations by Neo-Nazi or Fascist Organisations and Associations and the Display of Neo-Nazi or Fascist Symbols and Paraphernalia. 124 deputies voted in favour, while one voted against.

By a majority of deputy votes, the National Assembly adopted the Bill amending and modifying the Broadcasting Act, as well as the Nomination of Candidates for the election of a member of the Council of the Republic Broadcasting Agency living and working on the territory of Autonomous Province Kosovo-Metohija. Zivojin Rakocevic from Gracanica was elected RBA Council member.

By a majority of all deputy votes, the National Assembly adopted the Nomination of Candidates for the election of a member of the Anti-Corruption Agency Committee. Prof. Dr Radmila Vasic was elected Agency Committee member.

By a majority of votes, the deputies adopted the Proposal of the Decision on Termination of Judicial Office and the Proposal of the Decision on Termination of Office of Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Having voted an all the items on the agenda for the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session, the National Assembly ruled on the violations of the Rules of Procedure the deputies had complained of during the sitting and decided that the provisions of the Rules of Procedure had not been violated in any of the cases.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda and ruled on them, the National Assembly Speaker, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, concluded the Sixth Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009.