Wednesday, 5 November 2008

Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008 for Wednesday, 5 November 2008, starting at 12 p.



The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008 for Wednesday, 5 November 2008, starting at 12 p.m.

The National Assembly adopted the following agenda:

1. The Bill on the Organisation of Courts

2. The Bill on Judges

3. The Bill on the High Judicial Council

4. The Bill on the Public Prosecution

5. The Bill on the State Council of Prosecutors

6. The Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts

7. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Misdemeanours

8. The Bill on Public Procurements

9. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance

10. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on the Deposit Insurance Agency

11. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Companies

12. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Travel Documents

13. The Bill amending and modifying the Law on Civil Servants

14. The Bill on Associations.

Having set the agenda, the deputies of SRS and DPS-NS protested that their initiative to pass a vote of no confidence in the Government had not been included in the agenda, pointing out violations of the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure.

The National Assembly Speaker reminded them that the Third Sitting had been convened on 31 October and that the initiative will be on the agenda for the first following sitting.

On the second day of work, 11 November, the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Organisation of Courts, the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts and the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Misdemeanours.

The bills were presented to the deputies by the Minister of Justice, Snezana Malovic. Elaborating the bills, Minister Malovic stressed that the listed bills represent an alignment of the laws from this field with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, but that they also introduce new solutions which will lead to a fundamental reform of judiciary organs and contribute to increase their efficiency and improve the quality of their work.

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that deputy Vladan Batic will in future participate in the National Assembly’s work as an independent deputy of the Demo-Christian Party of Serbia. In addition to the discussion according to the agenda, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had completed the joint discussion in principle on items 1, 6 and 7 on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session in 2008.

In the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session (12 November), the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on Judges and the Bill on the High Judicial Council.

The proposed legal solutions were outlined for the deputies by the Minister of Justice, Snezana Malovic. Elaborating the bills, Minister Malovic stressed that, on the one hand, the abovementioned bills align the laws from this filed with the provisions of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia, and on the other hand introduce new solutions which will lead to a significant reform of the judiciary organs and contribute to increase their efficiency and improve the quality of their work, proclaiming the principle of independence of judges and courts.

In the continuation, in addition to the discussion of the items on the agenda, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had completed the joint discussion in principle on items 2 and 3 on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session in 2008.

On the fourth day of work, 13 November, the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Public Prosecution and the Bill on the State Council of Prosecutors.

Elaborating the bills, Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic said that the presented legal solutions are the basis of combat against crime and contribute to the efficiency and quality of judiciary organs. They envisage the existence of several kinds of prosecution, a hierarchy, as well as evaluation and disciplinary responsibility of the prosecutors and their deputies. It was proposed that the Public Prosecutor be elected by the Assembly, at the Government’s proposal. The State Council of Prosecutors is, as she stressed, a new organ in the legal system which will propose the volume of budgetary means and allocate them autonomously; it will be an independent and autonomous organ which will ensure the independence of the prosecutor.

In the morning part of work, the National Assembly concluded the joint discussion in principle on the Bill on the Public Prosecution and the Bill on the State Council of Prosecutors.

In the afternoon part of the sitting, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in principle on the Bill on Public Procurements.

In addition to the discussion of the items on the agenda, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

In the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session, on 14 November, in the morning, the National Assembly completed the discussion in principle on the Bill on Public Procurements.

In the afternoon part of the sitting, the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the bills amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance, the Law on the Deposit Insurance Agency and the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Companies.

Elaborating the amendments and modifications to the laws, the Minister of Finance, Diana Dragutinovic, stressed that they are the state’s response to the financial crisis, whose consequences Serbia has already begun feel. In order to alleviate the effects of the world financial crisis, the Serbian Government in cooperation with the National Bank of Serbia, proposed modifications to the Law on Deposit Insurance envisaging the increase of the level of insured deposit from 3 000 to 50 000 euros per bank savings deposit. The insured deposit amount covers both physical persons and businessmen, as well as small and medium enterprises, which will contribute to a greater financial stability on the market and strengthen the trust in the banking system.

The proposed measures pertain to the whole financial sector and means for their implementation have been secured, the Minister of Finance stated, stressing that European Union countries, as well as the countries in Serbia’s vicinity, have also implemented the same measures.

In the discussion on the modifications to the laws, opinions had been voiced that raising the bank deposit guarantee is a necessary, but belated measure to alleviate the influence of the world financial crisis. Also, there had been estimates that these measures will contribute to the stabilisation of the financial sector and raise the citizens’ trust in the banking system.

The National Assembly went on to complete the joint discussion in principle on the bills amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance, the Law on the Deposit Insurance Agency and the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Companies.

On the sixth day of work, 18 November, the National Assembly conducted a discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Travel Documents. The sitting was chaired by Gordana Comic, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.

The proposed legal solution was elaborated for the deputies by the representative of the submitters Ivica Dacic, First Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stressing that the Bill modifying act 53 of the Law on Travel Documents in force envisages an extension of the expiration date of travel documents to the end of 2009.

In addition to the discussion on the item on the agenda, the deputies also went on to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

In the afternoon part of the sitting, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in principle on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Civil Servants. Elaborating the amendments and modifications, the representative of the submitters, Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic stated that the proposed modifications extend the deadline for the implementation of public competition for the appointment of civil servants to 31 December 2009. If the amendments and modifications are adopted, the Ombudsman will be authorised to propose a dismissal of a civil servant who does not protect the citizens’ interests, which will strengthen the position of the Ombudsman as well as the Trustee for Information of Public Interest.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had completed the discussion in principle on item 13 on the agenda for the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session in 2008

On the seventh day of work, 19 November, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in principle on the Bill on Associations.

The Bill was elaborated for the deputies by the Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Milan Markovic. Minister Markovic stressed that, since 2001, intensive work has been done to draft the Bill which is now before the deputies. He stated that the reasons for passing the Bill on Associations lie in the diversity and discrepancies in the legal framework regulating the field of exercising the freedom of association. Passing the Bill will alter the old legal framework, the legal provisions will be aligned with the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia and the provisions of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms ratified by Serbia in 2003. The Bill fully regulates the position and activities of domestic and foreign association which will in future be registered with the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, and the legal provisions regulating the position and activities of foreign associations will significantly facilitate and encourage their work.

In the discussion, apart from the debate in principle on the Bill, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure. By the end of the day the National Assembly had completed the discussion in principle on the Bill on Associations.

On the eighth day, 20 November, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on Bill on the Organisation of Courts.

In the discussion, in addition to the debate on the Bill, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure. For the rest of the day, the National Assembly conducted the discussion in detail on Bill on the Organisation of Courts.

The discussion in detail on the Bill on the Organisation of Courts, commenced on 20 November, was completed in the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, on 24 November.

The National Assembly then proceeded to begin a discussion in detail on the Bill on Judges. During the debate, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the tenth day of work, 25 November, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the second item on the agenda, the Bill on Judges.

During the debate, in addition to the discussion on the item on the agenda, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure and asked questions about the business dealings of the management of PC “Nikola Tesla” Airport.

On the eleventh day of work, 26 November, the deputies continued the discussion in detail on the second item on the agenda, the Bill on Judges.

Before the discussion in detail was continued, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, asked questions and requested information.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that due to allegations circulating in the public about the amount of earnings and bonuses paid or being paid in public companies, the Government of the Republic of Serbia will conduct an analysis of the total managerial income in public companies in order to determine whether the income has been allocated and paid in accordance with positive regulations, as well as the other circumstances concerning the payment of the abovementioned earnings. The deputies continued to ask questions and start topics not on the agenda. The Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that she was calling a break in the National Assembly’s proceedings until 4 p.m. in order to complete the necessary consultations with the deputy group heads.

In the afternoon part of the sitting, the deputies continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the twelfth day of work, 27 November, before the continuation of the debate in detail on the second item on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly in 2008, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, informed the deputies that she had invited the students and professors of the Political Science Faculty of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, visiting the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, to attend part of the afternoon proceedings.

The Assembly Speaker reminded the deputies that they shall continue the discussion on the amendment to article 44 of the Bill on Judges, submitted by deputy Srdjan Spasojevic. Before the debate on the amendment, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, requesting that the budgetary inspection examine the business dealings of PC “Nikola Tesla” Airport managerial staff, as well as the operations of the rest of the public companies, so the Assembly Speaker scheduled consultations with deputy group heads and called a break in the National Assembly’s proceedings until 2 p.m.

In the continuation, the Assembly Speaker informed the deputies that the deputy group heads have reached an agreement to request a formal reply from the Government of the Republic of Serbia to the questions posed by the deputies, so the break in the National Assembly’s proceedings was extended to 3 p.m.

Following the break, the National Assembly Speaker informed the deputies that they shall be timely notified about the Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly set for Friday, 28 November 2008, beginning at 10 a.m. Assembly Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic read the information of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for the deputies, stating that, in reply to the deputies’ public request, the Government will conduct surveillance and control of the operations of public companies via its authorised institutions, a budgetary inspection – the Ministry of Finance and MIA within their jurisdiction, will implement all necessary measures in public companies founded by the Republic of Serbia and other institutions founded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia – “Belgrade” Airport, NIS, EPS, Roads of Serbia, Railroads of Serbia, Serbia Gas, JAT, Directorate for Civilian Air Carriage etc. and that the Government of the Republic of Serbia will regularly inform the National Assembly on the measures implemented.

Following the information, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Judges.

By the end of the day the deputies had completed the discussion in detail on the second item on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session.


On the thirteenth day of work, 28 November, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on the Bill on the High Judicial Council.

In the debate during the day, the deputies also initiated the questions of the 2009 budget, increase in the price of medicines, EULEX, and deputy mandates.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had completed the discussion in detail on the Bill on the High Judicial Council.

In the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly, on 1 December, the deputies considered the amendments to the Bill on the Public Prosecution. In the discussion, they also touched upon the budget, public companies and the State Audit Institution which should control their operations, and other issues.

For the most of the sitting the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had completed the discussion in detail on the Bill on the Public Prosecution.

On the fifteenth day of work, 2 December, the National Assembly completed a discussion in detail on the fifth item on the agenda, the Bill on the State Council of Prosecutors.

In the continuation, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on the sixth item on the agenda, the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

In addition to the debate on the items on the agenda, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the sixteenth day, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

For the rest of the day the deputies conducted the discussion in detail on the sixth item on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session and pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the seventeenth day of work, 4 December, before continuing the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts, the deputies conducted a discussion outside the agenda. Since they requested the floor according to the Rules of Procedure, and, in addition to the search of Hague defendant Ratko Mladic’s house, discussed the 2009 budget and other issues, the Serbian Assembly Speaker, Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic called a break in the morning proceedings. After it, the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts was continued.

In the afternoon part of the sitting and for the rest of the day the deputies conducted the discussion in detail on the abovementioned Bill and continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the eighteenth day of work, 5 December, the deputies continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that, she had forwarded a telegram of condolence on the behalf of the National Assembly and her own behalf, to the Speaker of the Russian Federation State Duma, Boris Gryzlov, on the death of the Russian Patriarch Alexei II.

In the debate, the deputies requested that the Government disclose the details of the energy agreement with Russia, and hold a sitting of the Industry Committee on the occasion. Among the requests repeated in the discussion, there was also the request to withdraw the Bill from procedure.

In addition to the discussion on the amendments, the deputies continued to point out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

In the continuation of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly, 8 December, the deputies continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

For the remainder of the day the deputies conducted the discussion in detail on the sixth item on the agenda and pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

On the twentieth day of work, 9 December, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

In the morning part of the proceedings, before the beginning of the discussion on the amendments submitted to the Bill, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure criticising the deployment of the EULEX Mission on the Kosovo-Metohija territory.

Since the deputies did not continue the discussion on the amendments to the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts even after the deputy groups’ heads consulted with the National Assembly Speaker in the afternoon, the Speaker discontinued work.

On the twenty-first day of work, 10 December, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

At the beginning of the proceedings, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, returning to the issue of the EULEX Mission deployment on the Kosovo-Metohija territory.

In the morning part of work, at the proposal of the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the termination of mandate before the end of the term he was elected for, to deputy Milovan Markovic from the electoral list For European Serbia. The National Assembly Speaker announced that the vacant deputy seat will be filled in line with the Law on Election of Deputies.

By the end of the day, the National Assembly had concluded the discussion in detail on the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts.

At the beginning of the proceedings on 11 December, at the proposal of the deputies, the National Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic convened a sitting of the Committee on Kosovo and Metohia for the break in the session, with one item on the agenda – election of Committee Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

The National Assembly then went on to complete a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Misdemeanours thus ending the discussion in detail on the set of judiciary bills. On the occasion, the Minister of Justice, Snezana Malovic stressed that passing them will fully reform the judiciary. She said that the 2009 Budget Bill will provide enough means to enforce the law and establish a new network of judiciary organs.

In the sitting, based on the report of the Republic Electoral Commission and the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the verification of deputy Milan Urosevic’s mandate, elected from the electoral list For European Serbia – Boris Tadic.

The National Assembly went on to commence a discussion in detail on the Bill on Public Procurements, but numerous violations of the Rules of Procedure were pointed out during the discussion. The discussion mostly focused on the realisation of the agreement in the oil and gas field between the Serbian and Russian governments. The deputies requested that a sitting of the relevant Industry and Privatisation Committees be called on the negotiations concerning the realisation of the project.

The National Assembly Speaker informed the National Assembly that a sitting of the two committees has been convened for 12 December.

On the twenty-third day, 12 December, the deputies continued the discussion in detail on the Bill on Public Procurements. In addition to the discussion on the amendments, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

By the end of the day the National Assembly had concluded the discussion in detail on the Bill on Public Procurements.

On the twenty-fourth day of work, 13 December, the National Assembly continued the discussion in detail on the items on the agenda of the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session in 2008.

Before the discussion on the amendments submitted to the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance began, the deputies pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure, due to which the Speaker of the National Assembly Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic called a short break for consultations with the deputy groups’ heads on the further course of the National Assembly sitting.

Since even after the consultations the deputies failed to discuss the agenda, the National Assembly Speaker discontinued the sitting.

On the twenty-fifth day of work, 15 December, the National Assembly continued according to the agenda and moved onto a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance.

Having completed the discussion on the amendments to the Bill, the National Assembly continued work in the afternoon with a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on the Deposit Insurance Agency.

Having completed discussing the amendments to the Bill, Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic requested the floor and, responding to the deputies’ questions, said that the Law on Deposit Insurance is intended for the protection of small savers’ deposits, adding that the financial crisis had influenced the basic purpose of this regulation to a degree. She pointed out that if the Law were not amended it would only protect the deponents where the state is a shareholder.

On the twenty-sixth day of work, 16 December, the National Assembly commenced a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Companies. In addition to the discussion on the amendments, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

At the end of the debate on the amendments, Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic pointed out that by the proposed package of modifications to the deposit law the state guarantees safety for the citizens’ savings. Responding to the deputies’ objections, she said that in addition to the proposed modifications to the law, the package of measures to combat the financial crisis will also include tax laws and relief, as well as various kinds of state interventions in the economy. By the break, the National Assembly had completed the discussion in detail on this Bill.

In the afternoon part of the proceedings, the National Assembly completed a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Travel Documents.

On the twenty-seventh day of work, 17 December, the National Assembly completed a discussion in detail on the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Civil Servants. In addition to the debate on the amendments, the deputies also pointed out violations of the Rules of Procedure.

In the morning part of work, based on the report of the Republic Electoral Commission and Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the verification of mandate of deputy Ljiljana Zdravkovic, elected from the electoral list For European Serbia – Boris Tadic. The National Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that under article 143 paragraph 1 of the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the Government had withdrawn the following bills from assembly procedure: the Bill on Associations, the Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Procedure Code, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Organisation and Jurisdiction of Government Authorities in Suppression of Organised Crime and the Bill amending and modifying the Civil Procedure Code. The Assembly Speaker informed the deputies that the beginning of the Fourth Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly has been scheduled for Thursday, 18 December 2008, at 10 a.m.

In the afternoon part of work, the National Assembly Speaker, Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, set Saturday 20 December 2008 as Voting Day on the items on the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session agenda, beginning at 10 a.m.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, 22 December, The National Assembly voted on 13 items on the agenda for the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008.

By a majority of votes, the National Assembly adopted the seven bills from the judiciary field in their entirety: the Bill on the Organisation of Courts, the Bill on Judges, the Bill on the High Judicial Council, the Bill on the Public Prosecution, the Bill on the State Council of Prosecutors, the Bill on Court and Public Prosecutors Seats and Districts and the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Misdemeanours.

The National Assembly went on to adopt the Bill on Public Procurements, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Deposit Insurance, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on the Deposit Insurance Agency, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Bankruptcy and Liquidation of Banks and Insurance Companies, the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Travel Documents and the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Civil Servants, by a majority of votes.

On Voting Day, the National Assembly also ruled on the violations of the Rules of Procedure pointed out by the deputies during the sitting. The National Assembly ruled that the articles 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 for the sitting and ruled on them, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the Third Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008.



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friday, 29 march
  • 9.00 - the National Assembly Speaker meets with the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia (National Assembly House, 13 Nikola Pasic Square, Speaker’s Cabinet)

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