ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES

2.2.2010. | COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
THIRTEENTH SITTING COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

At the sitting held on 2 February, the members of the Committee on Transportation and Communications debated the current situation in Belgrade road transportation.

The sitting was attended by the Minister of Infrastructure Milutin Mrkonjic and Director of PE “Roads of Serbia” Zoran Drobnjak.

The Committee debated issues relating to the remedial works and reconstruction of Gazela bridge.

FIFTEENTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON DEFENSE AND SECURITY

At the sitting held on 13 January, the Committee on Defense and Security considered the Security Intelligence Agency’s Activity Report for the period March-October 2009 and the Report on the security situation in the Republic of Serbia.
In his opening address, BIA Director Sasa Vukadinovic focused on the most important segments of the Security Intelligence Agency’s work and the Agency’s priority tasks in the period covered by the report and answered the numerous questions posed by both the Committee members and the deputies attending the Committee sitting...

TWENTY-SIXTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE FAMILY

The Committee on Health and the Family held its twenty-sixth sitting on 28 December 2009. The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Dr Paja Momcilov.
The Committeemembers discussed the proposals forwarded to the Committee on Health and the Family by citizens and organisations.
The Committee members also discussed the proposal of Prof. Dr Dragana Jovanovic who expressed her dissatisfaction with the disciplinary proceedings initiated against her before the Court of Honour under a civil complaint that had already been ruled on by a different authority, and who therefore believes she is suffering a personal disqualification in view of her work against corruption in health care...

FIFTY-EIGHTH SITTING OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 28 December, the Administrative Committee considered the Republic Electoral Commission Report on filling a vacant deputy seat at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

The Committee noted that the termination of the term of office of deputies Elena Bozic-Talijan and Lidija Dimitrijevic, elected from the Serbian Radical Party – Dr Vojislav Seselj electoral list, left vacant deputy seats at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, in line with the provision of article 88 of the Law on the Election of Deputies...

TWENTY-SIXTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE FAMILY

The Committee on Health and the Family held its twenty-sixth sitting on 28 December 2009. The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Dr Paja Momcilov.

The Committee members discussed the proposals forwarded to the Committee on Health and the Family by citizens and organisations and analysed the Committee’s activities in the previous period.

SEVENTH SITTING OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN 2009

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Seventh Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009, for Monday, 21 December 2009, starting at 2 p.m.

The National Assembly adopted the following schedule:

1.        The Bill on Emergency Situations, submitted by the Government;

2.        The Bill on Protection Against Fire, submitted by the Government;

3.        The Bill modifying the Law on the Security Information Agency, submitted by the Government;

4.        The Bill amending and modifying the Criminal Code, submitted by the Government;

5.        The Bill amending and modifying the Civil Procedure Act, submitted by the Government;

6.        The Bill on Administrative Disputes, submitted by the Government;

7.        The Bill amending and modifying the Misdemeanor Law, submitted by the Government;

8.        The Bill amending and modifying the Law on the Prevention of Violence and Inappropriate Behaviour at Sporting Events, submitted by the Government;

9.        The Bill amending the Law on Real Estate Transfer, submitted by the Government;

10.     The Bill on the Expiration of the Law on Organisation and Operation of Economic Units of Institutions for the Execution of Penal Sanctions, submitted by the Government;

11.     The Bill amending and modifying the Republic of Serbia 2009 Budget Law, submitted by the Government;

12.     The Bill amending and modifying the Accounting and Auditing Law, submitted by the Government...

SIXTH SITTING OF THE SECOND REGULAR SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN 2009

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Sixth Sitting of the Second Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009, for Friday, 11 December 2009, starting at 4 p.m.

The National Assembly adopted the following agenda:

1.        The Bill on the Budget of the Republic of Serbia for 2010, with its accompanying proposals of decisions granting consent to financial plans for 2010 of:

a)       the Republic Fund for Pension and Disability Insurance of Employees,

b)       the Republic Health Insurance Agency,

c)       the National Employment Service, submitted by the Government...

INFORMATION

DIPLOMAS PRESENTED TO NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INTERNSHIP COURSE ATTENDANTS

National Assembly Secretary Veljko Odalovic presented diplomas to the senior year students of arts faculties who had attended the National Assembly’s Internship Program last year.

Presenting the diplomas, signed by the National Assembly Speaker on the behalf of the National Assembly, the Secretary expressed his pleasure that the interns had been part of the National Assembly for the past nine months, lending a special quality to its work. He emphasised that by serving as interns at the National Assembly the students had the opportunity to fully comprehend the functioning of the state’s highest legislative institution, adding that he hoped the knowledge they gained in their internship would be beneficial to their future professional life. He told the interns that the National Assembly’s doors were open for their future interest, even potential professional engagement.

Deputy and Chairman of the Legislative Committee Vlatko Ratkovic, who was one of the students’ mentors during the internship programme, told the interns that the time they had spent at the National Assembly was both a privilege and a challenge to learn about legislative procedures. He stated that the National Assembly was a place where laws were passed, as well as a place of control over the executive government that cooperated with the regulatory bodies and enjoyed considerable international activity. He thanked the interns for the engagement adding that he believed they would use the knowledge acquired during the internship Programme in their future professional endeavours.

The National Assembly Internship Programme has been successfully implemented for seven years and has so far been attended by more than a 100 students. The practice for 12 interns, seniors of the faculties of law, economy and political sciences, lasted from 4 May 2009 to 4 January 2010. The Programme included introduction into the operation of the National Assembly and legislative processes. Depending on their interest, the students were assigned to departments, committees or deputy groups where, with the assistance of their mentors, they acquired varied practical knowledge and experience. As in the previous years, the interns exhibited considerable independence and initiative in their work, launching and realising ideas and projects as well.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER ON DRAFT VERSION OF LAW ON NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

At the meeting held on 3 February 2010, at 2 p.m. at the National Assembly House, the National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic and the representatives of the Deputy Groups discussed the Draft version of the Law on the National Assembly. The NARS Speaker stated that the final version of the Bill would be completed next week and the document was expected to be adopted by 1 March at the latest i.e. before the regular spring session.

After the meeting with the representatives of the deputy clubs, Djukic-Dejanovic said that the final text would address the most important issues concerning the Parliament’s status and functioning. The Serbian Assembly Speaker specified that this law would not regulate the issue of deputies’ salaries and pensions, that the deputies’ terms of office were regulated by the Law on Election of Deputies, and that the issue of their immunity was regulated according to the Constitution and the law.

“The Law on the Assembly will be passed for the first time, which is a constitutional duty, as well as the duty of the deputies to regulate the representative house legally in order to allow it its position, reputation and dignity”, the Assembly Speaker said.

According to the Draft version of the Law, the funds for the Parliament’s work would be allocated in the Serbian budget, and the Parliament would have its own account and dispose of the funds independently. The Draft version stipulated that the Parliamentary Secretary prepare the parliamentary budget proposal and forward it for adoption to the competent committee which would adopt it and forward it in turn to the minister in charge. Once consensus is reached, the proposed assembly budget is included in the draft of the republican budget, and in case there is no consensus –the Government is obliged to include the proposed assembly budget adopted by the competent assembly committee into the Serbian budget bill. Internal control of the disposal of the assembly budget is conducted by an internal auditor answerable to the Assembly’s Secretary General, who submits quarterly reports on the usage and disposal of the funds to the competent committee. The Serbian Government cannot suspend the discharge of the assembly budget without the consent of the Serbian Assembly.

Some on the innovations include the deputies taking an oath before the citizens and the regular sessions being opened and closed by the national anthem and a guard of honour.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RECEIVES TUNISIAN AMBASSADOR

Today at the National Assembly House, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received the Ambassador of Tunisia H. E. Houria Ferchichi.

The officials agreed that overall bilateral cooperation between Serbia and Tunisia leaves significant room for improvement, particularly on the political and economic plane.

In view of this, the officials greed that a meeting between the Serbian and Tunisian Parliament Speakers this year, and the accompanying increased parliamentary cooperation, would represent an important step towards improving bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Ferchichi suggested that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia might host a roundtable on the position of women, jointly organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Tunisia and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The Assembly Speaker applauded the initiative and stressed that she would take an active role in any public discussion on the topic.

SYRIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

On Friday, 29 January, the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technological Development Srboljub Zivanovic talked to H. E. Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to Serbia Majed Shadoud, at the National Assembly House.

Both sides agreed that scientific cooperation would lead to the improvement of all other types of cooperation between the Republic of Serbia and the Syrian Arab Republic. Ambassador Shadoud expressed his belief that the development of relations and exchange of experience on the parliamentary level, their working bodies and establishment of friendship groups would reinforce the two countries’ overall relations. The meeting particularly focused on the favourable cooperation between Serbia and Syria in the sphere of education, highlighting the need for cooperation in the spheres of agriculture and energy production, which would lead to increased commercial exchange. Ambassador Shadoud relayed his country’s position on the renewal of the agreement in the sphere of science and culture, as well as the agreement in the field of economy and cooperation on the level of universities.

The Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technical Development noted the existence of mutual interest to realise various types of cooperation between Syria and Serbia and briefed the Ambassador on the National Strategy of Scientific Development, with a particular focus on the importance of sharing experience in the fields of biomedicine, environmental protection, agriculture, information technologies and energy.

On 1 February, the Head of the Democratic Party of Serbia – Vojislav Kostunica Deputy Group, Milos Aligrudic talked to Syrian Ambassador Shadoud about the two countries’ relations and the potential for their further improvement. Both agreed that the relations between Serbia and Syria are good, but that the level of overall cooperation should be raised in the upcoming period. It is in the both countries’ interest to deepen not only political cooperation, but economic, cultural and parliamentary as well. Friendship groups play a key role in the development of parliamentary cooperation and improvement of relations between two countries, which is why they are currently being formed in both the Syrian and Serbian Parliament, it was said.

Milos Aligrudic pointed out that the Democratic Party of Serbia considers it important that Serbia, as a whole, progresses towards Eurointegration, but also believes that, for economic reasons, it is in Serbia’s interest to develop cooperation with countries outside of Europe as well. Strengthening economic cooperation with Syria can lead to an increased foreign trade balance between the two countries and engagement of Serbian companies in Syria, Aligrudic stated, announcing that the National Assembly is soon expected to ratify several significant cooperation agreements between the Republic of Serbia and the Syrian Arab Republic.

On 2 February, the Chairman of the Agriculture Committee Zoran Masic and Deputy Chairman of the Agriculture Committee Sinisa Stamenkovic talked to H. E. Ambassador of the Syrian Arab Republic to Serbia Majed Shadoud about the prospects for future cooperation between Serbia and Syria in the sphere of agriculture.

Committee Chairman Masic briefed the guest on the conditions in and potential for agricultural production and development in Serbia, stressing that Serbia has over 4 million acres of arable land. Masic pointed out that the National Assembly adopted about 15 laws important for agricultural production last year, and was expected to pass about ten legal documents, all harmonised with the European Union regulations and directives, this year. Long-term tendencies of agricultural development in Serbia lie along growing grains, industrial plants, vegetables and, recently, increased fruit production, Masic added.

Ambassador Shadoud noted a considerable potential for exchange of experience and deepening cooperation on all levels. He added that the deputies of the Syrian Parliament who had launched the initiative to found a friendship group with Serbian parliamentarians have, for the most part, completed their academic studies at the Belgrade University. That provides a solid basis for a continuation and improvement of the traditionally favourable relations between the two countries, Shadoud added.

The hosts thanked Ambassador Shadoud for the principled position the Syrian Arab Republic has taken on the issue of Serbia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Both sides agreed that parliaments play a key role in developing and strengthening the relations between the two countries with the goal of expanding economic, industrial and scientific and technological relations.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO SERBIAN EMIGRANT SOCIETY PRESIDENT

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic talked today to Radivoj Dabic, president of the non-governmental organisation Serbian Emigrant Society about the organisation’s activities of national interest relating to cooperation with Serbian emigrants around the world.

Djukic-Dejanovic emphasised the importance of the Society’s many decades of work on maintaining and cultivating relations with Serbian emigrants and the affirmation of their role in raising the national identity of Serbs living outside Serbia.

Dabic stated the Society’s needs and prospects aimed at raising the level of emigrants’ usefulness in their native territory, informing the Speaker that the Society’s future activities enjoy the support of all the Deputy Groups whose representatives are members of the NARS Committee on Relations with Serbs Outside Serbia. He also informed the Speaker of the initiative to pass a Law on the Serbian Emigrant Society.

The Serbian Emigrant Society was founded in 1951 as a civic association, an organisation whose goal was to maintain contact and develop cultural cooperation between Serbia and its emigrants. Despite the changes and circumstances in the region in the last 60 years, the Society never halted its activity. The main forms of cooperation with the emigrants are realised via information, culture, education, science, sports, tourism and publishing.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO MALE SECURITY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION

NARS Speaker, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received today the representatives of the non-governmental organisation Male Security, headed by their president Dusan Trifunovic.

Trifunovic informed the Speaker on the organisation’s activities and the problems it faced. The representatives of Male Security emphasise the protection of the child’s right to both parents after a divorce as the organisation’s priority, for the purpose of which they conducted research on the territory of Serbia on the implementation of this family law. Stressing that the child is the biggest victim of a divorce, they informed the NARS Speaker that the law was not being adequately implemented. The NARS Speaker endorsed the activities the non-governmental organisation employed in the fight for children’s rights and advised them how to best come up with better legal solutions to regulate the field.

Male Security non-governmental organisation, founded in July 2009, prioritises in the modification of the family law and the fight against violence against everybody, and so-called ‘invisible violence’ in particular.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER’S LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE SERBIAN OLYMPIC TEAM

On the occasion of the Serbian Olympic Committee’s event “Tradition, Strength, Vision”, NARS Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic sent the following letter of support to the Serbian Olympic Team:

“Dear Olympic Team,

This year, the Serbian Olympic Committee celebrates a century of existence, and the Assembly’s history marks more than two centuries – since the first common-law assemblies to the modern parliamentarism in Serbia.

Last year, we adopted more than two documents a day, which is, in sports parlance, excellent transit time for our 163 days in session. This year, the Olympic Team’s successful performance at the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver would be the priority on your agenda.

While you promote morale and spirit of modern optimism as a life philosophy by participating at the Games, the highest legislative and representative body strives to introduce and cultivate an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding into parliamentary life and active dialogue among the representatives of Serbian citizens.

During the breaks in the activities in the deputy clubs and debates at the extraordinary session, we shall follow your competitions in the winter arenas. On the behalf of all the deputies of the Republic of Serbia and personally, I wish you sporting luck and success.”

PRESIDENTS OF COUNCIL OF BARS AND LAW SOCIETIES OF EUROPE AND INTERNATIONAL UNION OF LAWYERS VISIT JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

At the National Assembly House, the Chairman of the Justice and Administration Committee, Bosko Ristic talked to the President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, Jose Maria Davo Fernandez and the President of the International Union of Lawyers, Corrado De Martini.

Members of the National Assembly’s Justice and Administration Committee Judita Popovic, Laszlo Varga, Vlatko Ratkovic, Biljana Hasanovic-Korac, Nenad Konstantinovic and Petar Jojic, as well as Dragoljub Djordjevic, representative of the Serbian Bar Association, Slobodan Beljanski, Serbian Bar Association representative to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, Vojislav Nedic, President of the Belgrade Bar Association and the President of the Serbian Bar Association’s Protest Committee Slavko Jelovac.

The Chairman of the Justice and Administration Committee, Bosko Ristic pointed out that legal practice in Serbia has gained the status of constitutional category and that its position in the state was being closely monitored, because the democratic nature of a society is measured by the independence and autonomy of its legal practice. The new Law on Legal Profession protects the position of the practitioners and their clients who have the right to legal protection, Ristic added. He stated that he understood the reasons behind the lawyers’ protests in Serbia triggered by the introduction of fiscal cash registers into legal practice as a control mechanism of revenue and taxation, but also added that developed democratic societies have not tried to control their lawyers through the fiscal system in the manner envisioned by the Ordinance of the Government of the Republic of Serbia. The world standard is that taxes and public revenues be paid to the state in accordance to economic capability and the public bodies in Serbia are obliged to find a solution that would ensure a revenue collection mechanism that adheres to international standards, without damaging the independence and autonomy of the legal practice.

The representatives of the Serbian and Belgrade Bar Associations briefed the Chairman and members of the Justice and Administration Committee on the reasons for the lawyers’ protest and pointed out the problems legal practice has been experiencing since the Ordinance of the Government of the Republic of Serbia was passed stipulating that lawyers handle all of their transactions via fiscal cash registers, which they believe to be a violation of public interest and the state’s encroachment on civil rights. The Ordinance that would allow a tax inspector insight into client files, or even close a lawyer’s office for up to 60 days due to violation of regulations, would compromise the confidentiality of client-lawyer relations as well as deprive the clients of legal protection during this period. They requested assistance from international organisations in coming up with a way of taxation most adequate to the profession which would comply with international standards and practice. The representatives of the Serbian and Belgrade bar Associations request that the Serbian Government delay the enforcement of the Ordinance for 6 months in order to resolve the issue by applying the most appropriate methodology. They also pointed out the issue of nomenclature of economic activities that classified legal practice as a commercial activity thus placing it into the purview of the Ministry of Trade rather than the Ministry of Justice. They appealed to the deputies to focus on it once the National Assembly starts debating the modifications to the legal solutions regulating the field.

The President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe, Jose Maria Davo Fernandez and the President of the International Union of Lawyers, Corrado De Martini pointed out that all ordinances passed in the European Union must comply with the Human Rights Charter due to potential violation of client-lawyer confidentiality. They fear that the presence of tax collectors in this relationship would violate the confidentiality. They agreed that lawyers must pay their tax duties to the state, but that the proposed system in Serbia is not the best solution. Presidents Fernandez and De Martini briefed the Chairman of the Justice and Administration Committee on the tax collection mechanisms employed in the European Union which allow control over tax collection without encroaching on data confidentiality. They also stated that the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe and International Union of Lawyers provide assistance and support to the Serbian and Belgrade Bar Associations in their efforts to come up with the best solution to the problem.

The members of the Justice and Administration Committee endorsed the request of the bar associations’ representatives and agreed that legal practice should be the state’s partner. They also believe it is necessary to approach the Ministry of Trade in order to request a debate on the Ordinance and delay of its implementation, and added that the National Assembly’s Legislative Committee would discuss the matter in one of its upcoming sittings.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER VISITS FAIR ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN IN AGROBUSINESS

On Saturday, 30 January 2010, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic visited the Fair on Rural Development and Women in Agrobusineses in Kragujevac, organised by AGROPRESS, Association of Agricultural Journalists, in cooperation with USAID – Agrobusiness Project, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, GTZ (German Organisation for Technical Cooperation) and the city of Kragujevac.

 

At the Fair, the Speaker gave a speech endorsing and promoting female entrepreneurship in general and the participation of women in Serbia’s agrobusiness sector in particular. Stressing the importance of women in this sphere, Djukic-Dejanovic said: “The unfortunate fact is that the position of women in Serbia is marginalised and it is necessary to ensure the conditions for their involvement in the creation of developmental rural policies.”

 

The Speaker reminded the participants that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia had adopted a packet of 15 agricultural laws at the sitting of 29 May 2009, adding that, in the upcoming period, the Serbian Parliament is expected to adopt a large number of European laws from the sphere of agriculture. “Their adequate implementation would create the conditions conducive to the development of rural communities and, I hope, halt the departure of young people from villages and possibly enable the return of those who had continued their professional lives in Serbian towns, as well as strengthen the role of women in rural areas”, the Assembly Speaker said in her address.

 

Afterwards, the Assembly Speaker talked to some of the around hundred exhibitors both from Serbia and abroad, and learned about their offers in more detail.

 

The three-day fair (29 – 31 January 2010) aimed to promote rural development and participation of women in agriculture. Various conferences, lectures and workshops were organised as part of the Fair in order to raise awareness on the importance of Serbian agriculture, potentials for its development and the importance of women’s contribution to the economic branch.

 

29.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY’S WORK AND ACTIVITIES IN 2009 PRESENTED

The Secretary of the National Assembly Veljko Odalovic presented to the public the work and activities of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2009.

At the press conference held on Thursday, 28 January, at the National Assembly House, he pointed out that during the 163 working days of the previous year the National Assembly held 29 sittings debating 328 items on the agenda.  13 of the sittings were held in regular session and 10 in extraordinary session, there were also 2 special sessions and 4 days to respond to parliamentary questions on a particular topic. Within this period, 11,923 amendments were submitted to the bills. The deputies posed 225 parliamentary questions and requested 461 explanations, out of which 188 parliamentary questions and 279 explanations were responded to.

In 2009, the National Assembly Committees held 380 sittings, 16 of which had been held outside of the National Assembly seat. At the Committee sittings, the deputies debated 519 bills and 16,929 amendments. The Committees also submitted 208 amendments of their own to the bills and passed 293 general documents and document proposals. It this period, the Committees created 5 sub-committees and 10 task groups. As part of the Committees’ control role, the deputies considered 170 reports and pieces of information submitted by the ministries and other state bodies. In addition, 5 roundtables were held in the function of public hearings. Over 1,600 proposals and petitions submitted by citizens and various associations were considered and forwarded to the competent bodies to be resolved.

In the previous year, the National Assembly enjoyed very active international cooperation both within parliamentary institutions in which it has standing delegations, and within bilateral cooperation. The Framework Agreement on Parliamentary Cooperation between the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the Parliamentary Cooperation Agreement between the Russian State Duma and the Assembly of the Republic of Serbia were also signed.

The National Assembly was visited by over 68 parliamentary and other delegations and over 30 statesmen. Over 50 seminars, congresses, roundtables, celebrations, ceremonial sittings, promotions and other gatherings were held at the National Assembly.

In 2009, the National Assembly received 116 requests for access to information of public importance. Most of the requests had been sent by the media (53), non-governmental organisations and civic associations (27), citizens (29), state and other bodies (3) and others (4). The National Assembly responded to all the requests.

The National Assembly Secretary added that the 2009 financial report would be completed by March of this year.

27.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RECEIVES CANADIAN AMBASSADOR

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received the Canadian Ambassador to Belgrade H.E. John Morrison.

 

In the upcoming period, the NARS Speaker shall extend an invitation to the Senate Speaker Noel Kinsella and the Speaker of the House of Commons Peter Milliken to visit the Serbian Parliament around the middle of this year.

 

The officials agreed that, since the existing level of overall bilateral cooperation leaves room for improvement, the visit of the Senate Speaker and the Speaker of the House of Commons to Serbia would represent a key step towards that end.

 

In his meeting with the Assembly Speaker, the Canadian Ambassador complimented the Parliament’s work and efforts in overcoming the problems it faced at the beginning of the convocation and stressed the Serbian Parliament’s importance on the regional level.

27.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER’S PUBLIC ADDRESS ON HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

On the occasion of the Holocaust Remembrance Day, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic expressed her belief that Serbian citizens would not forget any tragic events suffered by innocent civilians due to their national, religious, political or ethical distinctiveness.

 

The continuity of crime in recent history is contrary to the progressive civilisational legacies and it is the duty of all state bodies, and all Serbian citizens to oppose any form of criminal activity.

 

Through their activities in the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, by creating an atmosphere of peace, understanding and active dialogue, the deputies lead by example and oppose all types of crime against innocent civilians.

25.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
BIH PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY DELEGATION TO IPU MEETS WITH FRIENDSHIP GROUP AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Today, at the National Assembly House, a delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and the members of the National Assembly’s Friendship Group with the Parliament of Bosnia and Herzegovina had separate meetings with the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, visiting Belgrade from 24 to 26 January. The delegation was headed by Drago Kalabic, deputy at the House of Representatives of the Bosnia and Herzegovina PA.

The delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by Gordana Comic, also comprised deputies Vesna Pesic, Vlajko Senic, Momir Markovic and Nikola Lazic.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic stressed that regional cooperation is one the priorities of Serbia’s foreign policy, adding that the National Assembly strives to resolve the open issues between the neighbouring countries in the region inherited from the 1990s, by means of parliamentary diplomacy. She emphasised that the National Assembly is ready to use its own experience to help the BiH Parliamentary Assembly pass laws relating to the liberalisation of the visa regime for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Expressing a desire to foster interparliamentary and overall relations between the two neighbouring countries, Drago Kalabic stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia share the same goals – joining the European Union, economic development, fighting organised crime and other. Therefore, it is important so send a message to the international community that both sides are ready to resolve the open issues from the past through cooperation and negotiation, and parliamentary meetings are the right opportunity for it, Kalabic said.

 

The members of the Friendship Group with Bosnia and Herzegovina, headed by Meho Omerovic, and the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the IPU agreed in their estimate that certain problems in the relations between the two countries do exist, but so does the readiness to resolve them by joint efforts. It is obvious that there is a mutual desire to further relations and finds solutions that would be in the interest of both countries, it was said in the meeting. The importance of regional cooperation was also pointed out, as was the need for the two parliaments’ contribution to a speedier resolution of the open issues via the exchange of positive experiences. With this in mind, it was concluded that a meeting of parliamentary friendship groups between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and foreign affairs committees should be organised as soon as possible. The officials believe that in all international organisations and institutions of which they are members, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina should take a joint stand and provide as much mutual support as possible through the actions of sub-groups that should be formed within said organisations.

Deputies Judita Popovic, Djuro Peric, Bajram Omeragic and Esad Dzudzevic took part in the meeting.

25.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
FINNISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TALKS TO MEMBERS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATIONS AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEES AND SERBIA-FINLAND FRIENDSHIP GROUP

A delegation of the Grand Committee of the Parliament of Finland, headed by the Committee Chairman Erkki Tuomioja, talked today at the National Assembly House, in separate meetings, with the members of the European Integrations Committee and Foreign Affairs Committee, as well as the members of the National Assembly’s Serbia-Finland Friendship Group.

The meeting between the Finnish parliamentarians and the Chairman of the European Integrations Committee Laszlo Varga and Committee members Gordana Comic and Momir Markovic focused on the current situation in Serbia’s European integration process and the Parliament’s role in the process. Laszlo Varga was grateful for the support Finland lends to Serbia on its road to Euro-integration. He stressed that two of the three goals have been realised – visa liberalisation and Stabilisation and Association Agreement coming into force, and expressed hope that status of EU membership candidate would soon follow. He also stressed that, at the moment, 65% of Serbia’s population supports European integration and the Parliament is actively employed in harmonising domestic and European legislation.

Gordana Comic pointed out the importance of European integration as a means of Europeanisation and modernisation of society. She briefed the Finnish guests on the current course and results of Serbia’s progress towards European integration, reminding them that the Parliament had made the formal decision on joining the EU in 2004, by adopting the Resolution on Accession to the European Union. Comic stressed that the National Assembly has so far fulfilled all of its obligations from the National Programme for Integration of Serbia into EU and that the European Commission gave high marks to the Parliament’s work in the previous year.

 

A delegation of the Foreign Affairs Committee, headed by Gordana Comic, National Assembly Deputy Speaker, also met with the Finnish parliamentarians. Assembly Deputy Speaker Comic briefed the guests on the competencies of the Foreign Affairs Committee, which include parliamentary diplomacy, regional cooperation and cooperation with international organisations and institutions, as well as a monitoring role. The Chairman of the Finnish Parliament’s Grand Committee Erkki Tuomioja talked about the competencies of the body he chairs, pointing out that it deals with all issues relating to the European Union, including the issue of its expansion.

The Finnish parliamentarians stressed that their country supports Serbia on its road to European Union accession and pointed out that Slovenia used their model during its preparation to join the EU.

The officials believe that the increased efficiency of the National Assembly and better cooperation with the Government are of key importance for the next phase of Serbia EU accession process.

The National Assembly delegation comprised Vesna Pesic, Vlajko Senic, Nikola Lazic, Momir Markovic and Gojko Radic.

 

The delegation of the Finnish Parliament’s Grand Committee also talked to Nenad Prokic and Jelena Travar-Miljevic, members of the Serbia-Finland Friendship Group at the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The members of the Friendship Group informed their colleagues from the Finnish Parliament that the five-member Friendship Group is currently being constituted at the National Assembly, expressing belief that their efforts would contribute to the overall cooperation between Serbia and Finland.

The Chairman of the Finnish Parliament’s Grand Committee Erkki Tuomioja stressed that the relations between the two countries are developing successfully, stressing his pleasure at the cooperation with the National Assembly’s European Integrations and Foreign Affairs Committees. He added that Finland is ready to support Serbia in the European integration process, particularly by exchanging experiences on the parliamentary level, as well as in such issues as fighting corruption, environmental conservation, improvement of the health care system and education system. The Finnish parliamentarians stressed that their parliament raised the question of forming a Friendship Group with Serbia considering it is necessary above all for the support of Serbia’s European integration process.

25.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO FINNISH PARLIAMENT’S GRAND COMMITTEE DELEGATION

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic talked today to the members of the delegation of the Grand Committee of the Parliament of Finland, headed by the Committee Chairman Erkki Tuomioja.

 

The Finnish parliamentarians were interested in the Serbian National Assembly’s activities, primarily in the legislative sphere, as well as from the aspect of the parliament’s monitoring role and regarding the issue of regulating ethnic minority rights in the Republic of Serbia.

 

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia informed the Finnish parliamentarians that in the current term of office the Parliament had adopted 298 laws and 96 other documents, many of which were pro-European and aimed at harmonising Serbian and European legislation, adding that work on strengthening the monitoring role was one of the priorities for the upcoming period. Djukic-Dejanovic stressed that the National Assembly does all in its power to additionally improve the position of ethnic minorities in Serbia by a consistent implementation of the Anti-Discrimination Law and domestic and international documents regulating minority rights.

 

Regarding the process of accession to the European Union, Tuomioja pointed out that the Finnish Parliament would share all of its experiences and help Serbia become a member of the European family as soon as possible.

25.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO DELEGATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA TO INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received today the Bosnia and Herzegovina delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, headed by Drago Kalabic, deputy at the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.

 

Both sides agreed that joint representative activity of the two delegations to the Union could be of great benefit for both the improvement of relations between the two countries and strengthening stability in the region.

 

In the meeting, the officials concluded that the formation of a regional sub-group within 12 Plus Group, comprising countries from the whole region, would be greatly beneficial for the resolution of the issue of civil rights in line with European values.

 

“It is time to see things in a way that would profit everyone and do all in our power to send a message of good-neighbourly relations and cooperation from the region”, Kalabic said.

 

The BiH delegation offered to share with the Serbian Parliament its experience in parliamentary control over state security and auditing financial reports considering that BiH already has and implements adequate standards in the sphere.

22.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CONGRATULATES NEWLY-ELECTED PATRIARCH OF THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejnovic congratulated the newly-elected 45^th head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Irinej of Nis, on his appointment as the new Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

 

“I am sure that orthodox believers and Serbian citizens have gained a worthy successor to the reposed Patriarch Pavle and that your famed eloquence and open approach shall successfully lead the Serbian orthodox people. It is my warmest wish that, with the support of the other Serbian bishops, you may provide visionary leadership to the Serbian Orthodox Church and spread the orthodox spirit in Serbia and the world”, the letter of congratulation reads.

22.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER RECEIVES DELEGATION OF SUPERSONIC PILOTS ASSOCIATION MA 2+

Today, representatives of the Supersonic Pilots Association MA 2+ presented the Speaker of the National Assembly Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic with a diploma of supersonic aircraft pilot. The diploma was awarded under the decision of the Association’s Board of Directors as a sign of respect, appreciation and gratitude for her work as National Assembly Speaker.

 

The Assembly Speaker was briefed on the Association’s activities by the President of the Association and pilot Borisa Mandic and pilots Petar Grandic, Dejan Beda and Goran Crljen. Crljen reminded the Assembly Speaker of the fact that Belgrade became the first Regional Aviation Training Centre.

 

Stressing the importance of Serbian aviation, the NARS Speaker stressed that the National Assembly had, among other things, adopted the Law amending and modifying the Defense Law and the Law amending and modifying the Law on the Serbian Military.

 

“The understanding and support of the National Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic gives us a new motivating impulse to persevere in our positive intentions and activities”, Mandic said.

 

The Association of supersonic pilots was founded in 2004 with the goal to preserve and cultivate the tradition of fighter pilots, supersonic aircraft pilots in particular. In order to cultivate the fighter pilot tradition and develop elitism in the branch, the Association is currently intensely involved in three projects: creation of the Aviation Foundation “Pilot Mihailo Petrovic”, formation of Aviation, scientific-technological park “Finesse” and development of a National Aviation Council.

21.1.2010. | PRESS STATEMENT
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO DELEGATION OF UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic held a meeting with a delegation of USAID (United States Agency for International Development). The delegation comprised Marilynn Schmidt, Deputy Director of USAID Serbia, Walter Doetsch, head of the USAID department for democracy and law and Ellen Kelly, USAID senior legal advisor.

 

USAID and East-West Institute support projects connected with strengthening the control role of the parliament through the Separation of Powers Program, in order to improve the National Assembly’s capacities in preparation of independent budgeting and drafting of a strategic plan of the National Assembly.

 

Since the USAID’s Separation of Powers Program is to last until August 2011, the representatives of the Agency expressed an expectation that the Assembly Speaker would consent to the activities planned for the further realisation of the program.

 

“It is in the Parliament’s interest to make use of the remaining 18 months of the program in the best possible way, because the control role is one of the National Assembly’s priorities in the upcoming period”, the Assembly Speaker said.