ASSEMBLY ACTIVITIES

28.7.2010. | COMMITTEE ACTIVITY
SEVENTIETH SITTING OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 28 July, the Administrative Committee submitted three amendments to the Proposal of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure.

The amendments were submitted to articles 45, 71 and 150 of the Proposed Rules of Procedure so as to remove discrepancies and as the consequence of the acceptance of the amendments to articles 23 and 141 of the Proposed Rules of Procedure, which have become an integral part of the Proposed Rules of Procedure as that they had been accepted by the competent committees and the representative of the submitters...

NINETY-SEVENTH SITTING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 28 July, the Legislative Committee considered the three amendments submitted to the Proposal of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure by the Administrative Committee and found them legally feasible.

TWENTY-THIRD SITTING OF THE PRIVATISATION COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 28 July, the Privatisation Committee considered the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Reports on the Activities of the Privatisation Agency for June 2010 and on the Activities of the Republic of Serbia Share Fund for June 2010. In addition, the Committee also considered the Privatisation Agency’s Work Programme for July 2010. The sitting was chaired by Milan Nikolic, Committee Chairman.

By a majority of votes, the Committee members accepted the Reports and the Privatisation Agency’s Work Programme for July of this year.
At the sitting the Committee also considered the Privatisation Agency’s Information...

TWENTY-SEVENTH SITTING OF THE INDUSTRY COMMITTEE

FIFTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN 2010

At the request of 119 deputies, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Fifth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2010, for Tuesday, 27 July 2010. The extraordinary session started at 11 a.m.

The request to hold the extraordinary session specified the following agenda:

1.     The Proposal of the Decision on the Election of Judges for a three-year term of office at courts of general and special jurisdiction, submitted by the High Judicial Council,

2.     The Proposal of the Decision on the Election of Chairman of the Governor’s Council of the National Bank of Serbia, submitted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia,

3.     The Proposal of the Decision on the Appointment of Deputy Secretary General of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, submitted by the Secretary General of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

The National Assembly subsequently included the Proposal of the Decision on the Election of Deputy Public Prosecutor, submitted by the State Prosecutors Council, under urgent procedure as item 4 and decided to complete a joint unified debate on this and item 1 on the agenda...

TWENTY-EIGHTH SITTING OF THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 27 July, the Agriculture Committee considered the current conditions in the agricultural production in the Republic of Serbia; payment of subsidies and premiums to agricultural producers; buyout of the 2010 grain yield and the conditions of the field crops and flooded agricultural land.

FIFTY-FIFTH SITTING OF THE JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 26 July, the Justice and Administration Committee considered the Proposal of the Decision on the Election of Judges for a three-year term of office at courts of general and special jurisdiction, submitted by the High Judicial Council as the authorised submitter, and noted that the Decision Proposal had been submitted in line with the Law on Judges.

Following the debate, the Committee decided to propose that the National Assembly accept the Proposal of the Decision on the Election of Judges for a three-year term of office at courts of general and special jurisdiction, except for the proposal that Tatjana Stevanovic be elected judge of the Basic Court in Vranje. The Committee proposed that the National Assembly accept the proposal of the State Prosecutors Council that Tatjana Stevanovic be elected Deputy Public Prosecutor of the Basic Public Prosecutors Office in Nis...

SIXTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN 2010

At the request of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Sixth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2010, for Monday, 26 July 2010, starting at 12 p.m.

The request to hold the extraordinary session specified the following agenda:

1. The Proposal of the Decision of the National Assembly on the Ruling of the International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Unilaterally Declared Independence by the Provisional Institutions of Kosovo-Metohija and the Continuation of the Activities of the Republic of Serbia in the Defense of the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of the Republic of Serbia, submitted by the Government.

The Session was attended by the President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic; Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic; Deputy Prime Ministers Ivica Dacic, Jovan Krkobabic, Sulejman Ugljanin and Bozidar Djelic; Government Ministers Snezana Malovic, Sasa Dragin, Petar Skundric, Slobodan Milosavljevic, Zarko Obradovic, Tomica Milosavljevic, Bogoljub Sijakovic, Srdjan Sreckovic, Vuk Jeremic, Svetozar Ciplic, Rasim Ljajic, Goran Bogdanovic, Diana Dragutinovic and Dragan Sutanovac, as well as the head of the legal team of the Republic of Serbia at the International Court of Justice in the Hague Dusan Batakovic...

THIRTY-THIRD SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE FAMILY

The Committee on Health and the Family held its thirty-third sitting on 22 July 2010. The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Dr Paja Momcilov.
The Committee members considered the health care problems of persons suffering from malignant diseases with the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Health, Provincial Secretariat for Health Care, Republic Institute for Health Insurance, Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut”, Serbian Medical Association, as well as representatives of health care institutions providing health care to these persons and representatives of non-governmental anti-cancer organisations...

TWENTY-FIFTH SITTING OF THE GENDER EQUALITY COMMITTEE

At the sitting held on 20 July, the Gender Equality Committee considered the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Pension and Disability Insurance, in principle.

Elaborating the Bill, Assistant Minister of Labour and Social Policy Zoran Milosevic stated that the amendments aim to continue the reform of the pension and disability insurance commenced in 2002, and ensure its long-term and stable financing. ..

TWENTY-SECOND SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS

At the sitting held on 19 July, the members of the Committee on Transportation and Communications considered the particulars of the Bill amending and modifying the Law on Road Traffic Safety.

The deputies had submitted a total of 23 amendments to the Bill. The Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Committee on Transportation and Communications accepted 3 of the submitted amendments.

In the continuation of the sitting, on 20 July, the Committee on Transportation and Communications submitted two amendments of its own to articles 1 and 5 of the Bill.

The sitting was chaired by Velimir Ilic, Committee Chairman.

THIRTY-SECOND SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE FAMILY

The Committee on Health and the Family held its thirty-second sitting on 15 July 2010. The sitting was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Dr Paja Momcilov.
The Committee members considered the petitions forwarded to the Committee  Health and the Family by citizens and organisations.
The sitting was attended by Assistant Minister of Health Dr Ivana Misic, Dr Nebojsa Jokic from the Ministry of Health, Dr Dusan Mileusnic from the Belgrade Institute of Oncology and member of the Commission for the implementation of extraordinary external quality control of the expert work at the Vojvodina Institute of Oncology in Sremska Kamenica and Zorica Markovic of the Serbian Association of Health Care Beneficiaries – Club Health...

FIFTEENTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON RELATIONS WITH SERBS LIVING OUTSIDE SERBIA

The Committee on Relations with Serbs Living Outside Serbia held its fifteenth sitting on 15 July 2010. The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Branimir Djokic and attended by Miodrag Jaksic and Predrag Tojic, State Secretaries at the Ministry of the Diaspora, and Chief of Staff Lidija Dimitrijevic, as well as a delegation of the Serbian community in Macedonia.
The Committee members considered the Ministry of the Diaspora representatives’ Report on the first, constituting sitting of the Assembly of the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region. State Secretary at the Ministry of the Diaspora Miodrag Jaksic thanked the Committee Chairman and members who attended the Assembly of the Diaspora, adding that the working part of the sitting resulted in defining the goals of the Assembly of the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region, as well as of all those who take part in the implementation of the policies towards the diaspora. The main goal will be to further position Serbia as the mother state of all of its citizens living abroad..

FOURTH EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN 2010

At the request of 122 deputies, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the FourthExtraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2010, for Tuesday, 13 July 2010, starting at 11 a.m.
The Request to hold the extraordinary session specifies the following agenda:

1. The Proposal of the National Assembly Rules of Procedure, submitted by 122 deputies,
2. The Bill on Trade, submitted by the Government....

INFORMATION

MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FRIENDSHIP GROUP WITH USA TALK TO US CONGRESS LOWER HOUSE DELEGATION

Today, at the National Assembly House, the members of the National Assembly Friendship Group with the US talked to a delegation of the House of Representatives of the US Congress headed by Congressman William Delahunt, Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives.

Vlajko Senic, President of the National Assembly Friendship Group with the US, and friendship group members Nenad Konstantinovic, Aleksandar Jugovic, Ivan Andric, Konstantin Samofalov, Gordana Comic, Suzana Grubjesic, Riza Halimi and Edip Serifov talked to the US Congressmen about the importance of establishing more intense cooperation between the National Assembly and the US Congress. In that regard, Friendship Group President Vlajko Senic highlighted the importance of maintaining the best possible relations between Serbia and the US as well as the National Assembly’s role and contribution in deepening and improving the two countries’ overall bilateral cooperation. He added that the National Assembly Friendship Group with the US comprises 29 members and that the exchange of experiences between the deputies and US Congressmen would also contribute to the cooperation between the two countries’ executive powers.

The Friendship Group members briefed their American colleagues on the results achieved by the current National Assembly convocation, the results Serbia achieved in the past 10 years in the process of building democratic institutions, on the political system, current political and economic situation in the country, the European integration process, as well as the Kosovo-Metohija issue, cooperation with the Hague Tribunal and ethnic minority issues in Serbia. Both sides reaffirmed the importance and role of the National Assembly in deepening the relations between Serbia and the US.

William Delahunt, Chairman of the Europe Subcommittee and member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives, thanked the National Assembly for creating the Friendship Group with the US declaring it significant and very “noted” in the Congress. He added that this is the first visit by American Congressmen to Serbia and expressed belief that the exchange of experiences with their Serbian colleagues would contribute to the development of relations between Serbia and the US. He also estimated that the democratic processes underway in Serbia for the last 10 years would result in its European Union membership, which is the best guarantee of stability in the entire region.

In addition to Congressman Delahunt, the US House of Representatives delegation also comprised Congressmen Dan Burton, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Mike Turner, member of the Committee on Armed Services, Jeff Flake, member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Steve Kohan, member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, as well as H.E. Mary Warlick, US Ambassador to Serbia.

PETITIONS AND PROPOSALS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TALKS TO VELIKO SREDISTE CHURCH MUNICIPALITY SECRETARY

On 31 August 2010, Chairman of the Committee on Petitions and Proposals Sasa Dujovic received the secretary of the Veliko Srediste Church Municipality, priest Jelic Milomir, regarding the petition of Veliko Srediste Church Municipality for assistance to restore the damaged church dedicated to St. Archangel Gabriel in the village of Veliko Srediste, Municipality of Vrsac.

Chairman Dujovic accepted the invitation to visit the church and outlined the competencies of the Committee on Petitions and Proposals. He also stressed that he shall attempt to find a solution to the problem in cooperation with the competent institutions.

NARS SPEAKER SENDS TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCES TO CHINA’S NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS STANDING COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, sent a telegram of condolences to Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, after the plane crash in Yichun city on Tuesday, 24 August 2010. 

“It was with sadness and regret that I received the news of the plane crash in northeastern China. Allow me to extend our deepest sympathies to you and the families of the victims on the behalf of the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and myself”, states the telegram.

PETITIONS AND PROPOSALS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TALKS TO ODBRANA ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES

On 24 August 2010, the Chairman of Committee on Petitions and Proposals Sasa Dujovic received to the representatives of the Association of aggrieved servicemen and civilians of Serbia Odbrana from Belgrade. On the behalf of the Association the meeting was attended by Milan Cvetkovic, the Association’s lawyer, Djordje Anicic and Dragan Milojevic.

In the meeting, the representatives of the Association of aggrieved servicemen and civilians of Serbia outlined the servicemen’s problems complaining about the work of judicial authorities, as well as judicial obstruction in their attempts to solve said problems.

The Committee Chairman heard the Association representatives out and informed them that he would initiate the resolution of these problems at the competent institutions, in line with legal competencies and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

PETITIONS AND PROPOSALS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN TALKS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF KRALJEVO SRPSKO-MORAVSKA BANK SAVERS ASSOCIATION

On 17 August 2010, the Chairman of Committee on Petitions and Proposals Sasa Dujovic received to the representatives of Srpsko-Moravska Bank Savers Association from Kraljevo. On the behalf of the Association the meeting was attended by Dobrivoje Janjic, representative of the Savers Association and Stojadin Mutavdzic Vice-President of the Savers Association.

In the meeting the Savers Association representatives outlined the problems regarding the status of the aggrieved savers and specified what they were.

The Committee Chairman promised to initiate the resolution of these problems at the competent institutions, in line with legal competencies and the Rules of Procedure of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CONGRATULATES RAMADAN TO ALL MUSLIM BELIEVERS

On the behalf of the deputies and herself, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic congratulated the beginning of the month of Ramadan and Ramadan fasting to all Muslim believers in Serbia, wishing them to spend the holiday with their closest ones, in health and well-being, cultivating the spirit of tolerance and mutual understanding.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO HUNGARIAN AMBASSADOR

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, received the Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary to Serbia, H.E. Imre Varga, in a farewell visit, at the National Assembly House.

In the meeting, the National Assembly Speaker and Hungarian Ambassador stated that the parliamentary relations between Serbia and Hungary had been raised to a high level and that both countries are interested in improving them further. Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic stressed that the signing of the Cooperation Treaty between the two parliaments had significantly contributed to it as a good model of establishing cooperation between parliaments of neighbouring countries.

Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic applauded the idea of maintaining parliamentary cooperation not only on the level of parliament speakers, but also parliamentary bodies, friendship groups and support services. They also agreed that a delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Hungarians Living Abroad should visit the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia as soon as September.

Ambassador Varga stressed that Hungary is interested in seeing Serbia join the European Union, stressing that Hungary would fully support it on the way.

The National Assembly Speaker thanked Hungary for its essential assistance to Serbia’s approach to the European Union so far, stressing that such support would be particularly important during Hungary’s presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2011.

On the occasion, Ambassador Varga also invited the National Assembly Speaker to visit the Hungarian Parliament.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SPEAKER TALKS TO AMBASSADOR OF ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, received the newly-appointed Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Abolghasem Delfi, at the National Assembly House.

In the meeting, the relations between the two countries were declared to have a rich and long tradition providing a good basis for the improvement of overall bilateral cooperation.

The favourable cooperation between Serbia and Iran in international organisations and forums was emphasised as well.

During the meeting, it was estimated that parliamentary cooperation should be intensified which could stimulate the development of cooperation in all other spheres, and particularly on the economic plane.

Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic thanked Ambassador Delfi on the principled position the Islamic Republic of Iran had taken on the issue of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Serbia.

NARS SPEAKER SENDS TELEGRAM OF CONDOLENCES TO STATE DUMA SPEAKER

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic sent a telegram of condolences to the Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Boris Gryzlov on the fires raging in central Russia.

 “I was deeply distressed by the news of human casualties and numerous Russian citizens losing their homes in the fires raging in central Russia. Allow me to extend most heartfelt condolences to you and the victims’ families on the behalf of the deputies of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia and myself, as well as hope that the damage caused by the fires would be repaired soon” states the telegram.

NARS SPEAKER VISITS ZITISTE

National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic visited the municipality of Zitiste today at the invitation of Dr Gabor Lodi, deputy and Zitiste Health Care Center Director.

On the occasion, Djukic-Dejanovic toured the Zitiste Health Care Center where Lodi briefed her on the operation of all the Zitiste Health Care Center services. Afterwards, the Speaker ceremonially opened the dispensary in Banatsko Karadjordjevo, refurbished after it had been closed down by healthcare inspection due to bad working conditions. Public enterprise Srbijagas invested more than 2.5 million RSD into the reconstruction of the dispensary. The dispensary today has at its disposal general practice services, a pharmacy and a dentist’s office.

On the occasion, the Speaker applauded the actions of public enterprise Srbijagas and appealed to all companies able to do so, to invest into settlements where the health care of the population is endangered. “This is an excellent example of how a public enterprise can help improve our citizens’ quality of life by enabling them to exercise their fundamental right - the right to free health care”, said the Speaker.

The ceremonial opening of the dispensary in Banatsko Karadjordjevo was also attended by deputies Jelena Travar-Miljevic, Branka Ljiljak and Zoran Kasalovic.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGES TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

On Tuesday 27 July 2010, Sabahudin Tahirovic, elected Constitutional Court judge on 1 July 2010 by the National Assembly and Tomislav Stojkovic, appointed Constitutional Court judge on 6 July 2010 by the general session of the Supreme Court of Cassation of the Republic of Serbia, took the oath of office before the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic.

The election and appointment of Sabahudin Tahirovic and Tomislav Stojkovic as Constitutional Court judges, completes the composition of the Constitutional Court in line with article 172 of the Constitution of the Republic of Serbia.

On the occasion the NARS Speaker said “I deeply believe that the work engagement and highly professional and moral qualities of the judges taking the oath today shall contribute to the efficient operation of the Constitutional Court as an independent and autonomous state body protecting the constitutionality and legality and human and minority rights and freedoms”.

The oath taking ceremony was attended by the President of the Constitutional Court Bosa Nenadic, Vice-President of the Supreme Court of Cassation Snezana Zivkovic and Nebojsa Cirjakovic, member of the State Prosecutors Council.

GERMAN PARLIAMENTARIAN VISITS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Today, at the National Assembly House, the Chairmen of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Prof. Dr Dragoljub Micunovic and European Integrations Committee Laszlo Varga talked in separate meetings to Rainer Stinner, member of the German Bundestag Foreign Affairs Committee. The German parliamentarian also talked to the President and a member of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Germany, Bosko Ristic and Konstantin Samofalov.

In the meetings, deputy Stinner was interested in Serbia’s position and further steps following the reading of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the compliance of the unilateral declaration on Kosovo with international law and activities concerning Serbia’s accession to the European Union.

Stinner said that Germany poses no impediment to Serbia’s further integration into the European Union, but merely insists that the conditions for the accession be met so as to avoid the problems incurred by Romania and Bulgaria’s accession.

Regarding this, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Micunovic said that Serbia would never recognise Kosovo as an independent state. He pointed out the various problems in Kosovo-Metohija stemming from the disregard for human rights of both Serbs and Albanians, and particularly the difficult position of Serbs in the north of the Province. He also stressed that the displaced persons from Kosovo are not returning and that the restitution of their property is something that should receive proper attention. We strive for a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo-Metohija issue and above all resolution of the open questions through dialogue with representatives of the Kosovo institutions and we shall work on reconciliation in the region, stressed Micunovic.

Micunovic pointed out that by joining the European Union the Western Balkans region would ensure its stability and that the relations among the countries in the region have been raised to a higher level.

Laszlo Varga briefed the German parliamentarian on the competencies and work of the European Integrations Committee. He expressed expectation that the adoption of a new National Assembly Rules of Procedure would enable a speedier adoption of laws from the so-called European agenda. Serbia is dedicated to its preparations for EU accession and will strive to implement the reform envisaged by the National Programme of Integration of Serbia into the European Union by 2012.

President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Germany Bosko Ristic stressed that the National Assembly had adopted a Decision on Serbia’s continued activities in the defense of its sovereignty and territorial integrity and will strive to, in line with international law, act for the purpose of strengthening peace and trust among the states in the region. Serbia will discuss the new UNSC declaration on Kosovo with the EU and other countries, because it believes that there is enough room for Serbian diplomacy to act on it. Not prejudicating Kosovo–Metohija’s future status, we will take part in seeking a solution to overcome the main life problems the Serbian and other non-Albanian population faces in the Province, stressed Ristic. He also pointed out that Serbia will continue to implement reform in order to modernise and democratise the society and strengthen its institutions.

PETITIONS AND PROPOSALS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN IN NOVI PAZAR

On 27 July 2010 in Novi Pazar the Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Petitions and Proposals Sasa Dujovic talked to the participants in the strike of disabled and handicapped persons – Iskra Metal Subsidiary about the demands they had sent to the Committee.

The importance attributed to these demands was emphasised on the occasion, as well as the intention to undertake activities within the Committee’s competence which, as a standing working body of the National Assembly, considers the petitions and proposals forwarded to the Parliament. It was noted that the demands, as well as the strikers undertaking activities to resolve their problems, do not have a political character.

The Committee Chairman also talked to the submitters of the petition complaining of the rules regulating the registration of imported vehicles.

PETITIONS AND PROPOSALS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN IN NOVI PAZAR

On 27 July 2010 the Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Petitions and Proposals Sasa Dujovic and Committee Deputy Chairman Kenan Hajdarevic will visit Novi Pazar where they shall, at the invitation of the representatives of the Association of Labour Disabled and Handicapped Persons – subsidiary of the labour disabled in Iskra Metal company, discuss the resolution of their problems.

SECOND SITTING OF WORKING GROUP HELD

The second sitting of the Working Group for the drafting of Bills for the purpose of creating formal legal conditions enabling authorities to act on reports of disappearances of newborn babies from maternity wards, chaired by Maja Videnovic, was held on 22 July.

At the sitting, the officials considered the laws and other regulations that need to be amended and adjusted, as well as the proposals of amendments and modifications to the laws from the sphere of criminal, administrative and domestic law and medicine.

Representative of the Ministry of Justice to the Working Group Jelica Radulovic pointed out that the regulations in the sphere of medicine do not impede the authorities in acting on the reports on missing newborns from maternity wards and that they need not be amended. She said that the Law on Health Care dictates that a newborn that dies in a medical facility on birth or in treatment shall undergo a post mortem examination as a special measure to determine the time and cause of death, and that a biological specimen is obligatorily taken and permanently preserved. The medical facility is obliged to inform an adult member of the family of the cause and time of death post haste and allow him/her direct access to the body of the deceased, and if the deceased is a newborn to immediately and directly inform the mother.

Jelica Radulovic stressed that a birth certificate is filled out for every child, no matter for how long after birth the newborn was alive, as well as for a stillborn child on the condition that it was carried for more than 28 weeks.

Ministry of Interior representative to the Working Group Vijoleta Palic also said that the Law on the Police and other regulations in the field do not impede the authorities in acting on the reports on missing newborns from maternity wards. According to her, so far the biggest problem has been the absolute expiration of the statute of limitation in the criminal proceedings which is why the Ministry of Justice should propose amendments to the Law on Criminal and Misdemeanor procedure, particularly the provisions relating to the institute of statute of limitation.

The Working Group members pointed out that the actions on the reports on missing newborns from maternity wards have so far been very unclear adding that the medical surveillance procedure should be improved and health inspectors should be more involved.

DEFENSE AND SECURITY COMMITTEE MEMBERS TALK TO GAY STRAIGHT ALLIANCE REPRESENTATIVES

On 21 July, at the National Assembly House, the members of the Committee on Defense and Security met with representatives of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at their initiative.

The conversation revolved around the violence reduction strategy and discrimination against LGBT persons in Serbia, ensuring their right to free association and possibilities to carry out the first successful Pride Parade in Serbia. The Gay Straight Alliance representatives believe that a successful Pride Parade necessitates concrete cooperation with state authorities and institutions, and stress that they expect the Committee on Defense and Security to make specific recommendations to the competent state authorities so as to ensure full safety of the participants.

The Committee members endorsed the Pride Parade and announced that the state would do all in its power to ensure the security of the gathering. That will, according to the Committee members, send a clear message that Serbia has reached European standards in the respect of human and minority rights and freedoms.

At the end of the meeting, it was also agreed that deputy Marko Djurisic, Committee member, take part in the task group to tackle the organisation of the gathering.

PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP WITH ROMANIA TALKS TO ROMANIAN AMBASSADOR

The Parliamentary Friendship Group with Romania, headed by its President Sinisa Stamenkovic, met today at the National Assembly House, with the Romanian Ambassador in Belgrade Ion Macovei.

In a friendly and open meeting, the officials declared the overall relations between Serbia and Romania favourable, but added that there is room to further improve cooperation in various spheres. Group President Sinisa Stamenkovic pointed out the importance of the new bilateral agreement on social security between the two countries, emphasising the potential offered by regional, border and cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Romania on Serbia’s road of speedy Euro-integration.

In the meeting, the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Romania touched on certain issues concerning the improvement of the two countries’ relations, highlighting Romania’s assistance to Serbia in the times of severe energy crisis, as well as the need to further improve the two countries’ economic cooperation. They also expressed gratitude for Romania’s support of Serbia on its road to the European Union.

The Romanian Ambassador pledged that the cooperation between Serbia and Romania would continue in the spirit of tradition and friendship of the two nations as it facilitates the resolution of all problems. He stressed that Romania is prepared to discuss all issues in an open and friendly manner, and that his country will, despite the great crisis it faces, continue to offer support to Serbia on its road to the EU. Ambassador Macovei repeated the position that Romania would never recognise the independence of Kosovo.

At the end of the meeting the officials concluded that a meeting between Serbian and Romanian parliamentarians should be organised as soon as possible.

NARS SPEAKER’S SPEECH AT THE THIRD WORLD CONFERENCE OF SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENT IN GENEVA

Today, National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic took part in the Third World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva. The main topic for the Conference is “Parliaments in a world of crisis: securing global democratic accountability for the common good”.

Honourable colleagues, dear friends!

I am immensely pleased and honoured to address you all today on behalf of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, at this highly important event, in these difficult times that compel us to be strong-minded and circumstances that make the responsibility we bear ever so great. We, elected representatives of our citizens, have been granted with the mandate to address the challenges on their own behalf, in these times of crisis, that question the very foundations of global international order. These are the times that are putting to the test our readiness to face the toughest challenges of our era, united and in a spirit of full trust and openness.

We are fully aware of the challenges facing us in the time of global financial crisis, various security and stability threats, climate changes and natural disaster. As in every time of crisis, it will put to the test our determination, strength and willingness to cooperate, but first and foremost, our unity, that has been painstakingly built over the decades, through our concerted efforts and participation in the work of international institutions.

In the time of crisis, some institutions prove themselves as being inadequate and outdated, some need to be reformed, and only few can survive the upheaval and come out of it even stronger. We believe that in such times, national and international institutions of parliamentary democracy are the strongest, most valuable and effective instruments there is.

Namely, the very essence of parliamentary democracy that our parliaments are pursuing by carrying out through their representational, legislative and oversight functions, is of fundamental importance in solving our present-day problems by keeping and promoting highest values of freedom and rights, the duty that has been assigned to us by the people we represent. The key idea we advocate is the strengthening of each of our parliamentary functions, fully aware that only their concordance can provide functioning at full capacity. In these difficult times, we are expected to represent the interests of our citizens in a more quality way, and it can only be achieved through the responsible implementation of all three main functions of Parliament - representational, legislative and oversight.

For that reason, our organization, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, has every reason to be proud of its work. Objectives and values the Inter-Parliamentary Union promotes, stand for some of the highest achievements of our civilization. These are the international peace, sustainable economic development, strengthening of parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, human and minority rights, equality of men and women, greater representation of women in public affairs and protection of the rights of children, as the most vulnerable part of our society. It is upon us to make those high goals attainable in our respective countries, for ourselves and for the benefit of our peoples.

Thus, we join the call to take practical concrete steps to strengthen international unity through parliamentary institutions, both at the multilateral and bilateral level. We believe that our national parliaments should spare no effort in strengthening their capacities, which will enable them to take full responsibility and awareness of the current state of affairs in the world, as well as live up to expectations and hopes held by the peoples of our countries.

Honourable colleagues, thank you for your attention.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEPUTY SPEAKER GORDANA COMIC AT SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING OF WOMEN SPEAKERS OF PARLIAMENT IN BERN

National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic took part in the Sixth Annual Meeting of Women Speakers of Parliament, held in Bern on 16 and 17 July 2010.

Women speakers of parliament from all over the world discussed the improvement and achievement of UN Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 - reduce child mortality rate and improve maternal health.

The work done at the meeting of women speakers of parliament resulted the Bern initiative inviting all parliaments of the world to improve the legal framework for the improvement of the health of pregnant women and newborns, as well as overcoming gender discrimination and improvement of women’s position in society.

The Bern initiative was forwarded to the Third Meeting of Parliament Speakers held in Geneva on 19 and 20 July 2010 and attended, inter alia, by the National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic.

At the margins of the meeting, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordana Comic realised various bilateral contacts with women parliament speakers and international organisation representatives to discuss specific steps of further cooperation aimed at achieving the UN Millennium Goals.

NARS PARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITY - DEVELOPMENT TENDENCIES

The National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia firmly believes that activities which strengthen international cooperation include all types of parliamentary activity – both in the internal sphere (relationship with the public, parliament’s representative function, keeping the public informed about the importance of cooperation within international law) and in the sphere of parliamentary diplomacy, in the bilateral and multilateral sphere, via regional initiatives and international organisations.

This is particularly visible and significant in the current NARS convocation, where the NARS has shown initiative to develop parliamentary diplomacy which is not only accepted by a large number of the world’s parliaments, but has also given its first results in various areas of activity and life in Serbia.

This is evidenced in the fact that the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic has, since the beginning of her term of office, received more than 70 delegations and the same number of ambassadors, and represented the Serbian Parliament in over 25 countries around the world. The National Assembly has been visited by numerous state presidents such as the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev (who also addressed the NARS deputies), Czech President Vaclav Klaus, President of Cyprus Demetris Christofias, Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic, Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers, Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic, as well as many foreign ministers (Portugal, Cyprus, Slovakia, Mali …), representatives of the EU, UN and many international organisation.

Parliamentary cooperation was improved by the meetings of the Serbian National Assembly Speaker with the parliament speakers of Spain, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Slovenia, Portugal, Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of Srpska, Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today, following the extremely successful visit of the delegation of China’s National People’s Congress headed by Chairman Wu Bangguo, we are welcoming the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament’s House of Commons Peter Milliken.

Parliamentary activity shall continue in the near future. On Monday, 19 July 2010, the Speaker shall travel to Geneva to take part in the Third World Conference of Parliament Speakers, and afterwards, in September, the NARS Speaker is to visit the Slovenian Parliament, Austrian Parliament and German Bundestag.

NARS SPEAKER RECEIVES CANADIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic received the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament’s House of Commons Peter Milliken.

In the meeting, the officials exchanged experiences on the two parliaments’ work, as well as the process of adopting laws in Serbia and Canada. In that context, the NARS Speaker highlighted the adoption of the Law on the National Assembly adding that new Rules of Procedure were on the agenda of the Fourth Extraordinary NARS Session, which the Canadian delegation was particularly interested in.
Both sides noted that parliamentary cooperation can greatly contribute to improve the two countries’ relations, and that the Serbian and Canadian parliaments should develop cooperation, primarily on the level of committees, as soon as possible.

Djukic-Dejanovic stressed that all that is necessary should be done to improve economic cooperation and extended thanks for Canada’s donations to Serbia between 2001 and 2008, as well as the prospects for further investment into Serbian economy.
The Speaker emphasised that in the process, it would be beneficial to complete the process of signing agreements on social security, avoidance of double taxation and air transport.

FIRST SITTING OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE DRAFTING OF BILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING FORMAL LEGAL CONDITIONS ENABLING AUTHORITIES TO ACT ON REPORTS OF DISAPPEARANCES OF NEWBORN BABIES FROM MATERNITY WARDS

The first sitting of the Working Group for the drafting of Bills for the purpose of creating formal legal conditions enabling authorities to act on reports of disappearances of newborn babies from maternity wards, held on 15 July, was convened by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic. The decision on the creation of the Working group was adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia at the sitting held on 5 May 2010.

Opening the sitting, Speaker Djukic-Dejanovic pointed out the importance the National Assembly attaches to the resolution of the issue of missing newborns from maternity wards. The Working Group aims to come up with quality Bills to amend and modify the laws from the sphere of criminal and domestic law and the sphere of health care, so as to create the necessary formal legal conditions to ascertain the truth about the missing newborns in several Serbian towns.

She stressed that the Working Group comprises, in addition to the deputies, prominent scientists, professors of the University of Belgrade Law Faculty and representatives of several ministries.

At the constituting sitting, the Working Group members elected Maja Videnovic to Chair the Working Group and Dr Paja Momcilov was elected Deputy Chair.

The competent ministries’ tasks in the resolution of this issue were also discussed at the sitting. A conclusion was adopted in this regard, obliging the Working Group members, representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Interior and Health, as well as the National Assembly Support Services to forward an overview of laws and other regulations in need of amendments and harmonisation as soon as possible, as well as Bills to amend and modify health laws and those regulating criminal, administrative and domestic law, for the purpose of creating the appropriate formal legal conditions to enable the authorities to act on the reports of disappearances of newborn babies from maternity wards.

FIRST SITTING OF THE WORKING GROUP FOR THE DRAFTING OF BILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING FORMAL LEGAL CONDITIONS ENABLING AUTHORITIES TO ACT ON REPORTS OF DISAPPEARANCES OF NEWBORN BABIES FROM MATERNITY WARDS

At the first, constituting sitting of the Working Group for the drafting of Bills for the purpose of creating formal legal conditions enabling authorities to act on reports of disappearances of newborn babies from maternity wards, the members unanimously adopted the decision that Maja Videnovic, ZES Group deputy, be the Working Group Chair, at the proposal of PUPS deputy Nikola Krpic.

Krpic also nominated Dr Paja Momcilov for Deputy Chair, which was also unanimously accepted by the Working Group members.

At the Second Sitting of the First Regular Session in 2010, held on 5 May 2010, the National Assembly adopted a decision on the creation of the Working Group for the drafting of Bills for the purpose of creating formal legal conditions enabling authorities to act on reports of disappearances of newborn babies from maternity wards, at the proposal of National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic.

WU: SERBIA - BOTH CHINA’S FRIEND AND PARTNER

Today, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, received a delegation of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee headed by Wu Bangguo, Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

The Speaker and Chairman agreed that the two countries are characterised by a long traditional friendship and excellent and deepening political and economic cooperation.

The NARS Speaker stressed that China understands Serbia’s basic foreign policy goals and represents one of Serbia’s four foreign policy cornerstones.

“Just as our unchanged political position is one China, we also owe China a debt of gratitude for its principled position in observing international law regarding Serbia’s sovereignty and integrity”, stressed the Speaker, adding that China supports and understands Serbia’s efforts to become a full-fledged EU member. Wu repeated that China’s position on the unilaterally declared Kosovo independence would not change.

“China thanks Serbia for the firm support of its central interests and insistence on the one China policy: support as regards Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang”, said the Chairman of the Chinese Parliament’s Standing Committee.

Stating that improvement of parliamentary cooperation is the priority of his visit to Belgrade, Wu expressed pleasure at the excellent meeting with the Parliament Speaker whom he invited to visit China next year.

Presenting the treaties signed today at the Assembly between the Governments of the PR China and the Republic of Serbia as a stimulus for further deepening of bilateral relations, the Speaker and Chairman agreed that there is ample room for improvement of infrastructural, cultural and health care cooperation.

China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo presented Serbian Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic with a donation of technical equipment for the Serbian Assembly.

Representatives of the Serbian and Chinese governments signed several interstate treaties at the National Assembly, inter alia from the spheres of finance, health care and culture.

Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic and Chairman of the Chinese Exim Bank Li Ruogu signed an agreement on a concession loan for container vehicles control system, as well as an agreement on a preferential consumer loan for the Zemun-Borca Bridge and accompanying facilities. In the presence of the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic and Serbian Government representatives, the President of the Republic of Serbia Boris Tadic and Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee Wu Bangguo laid the cornerstone of the Zemun-Borca Friendship Bridge.

Slobodan Ilic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Gao Hucheng, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, exchanged notes for China’s Grant Aid to Serbia.

Miodrag Djidic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce signed a framework Agreement on a concession loan.

Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic and China’s Ambassador to Serbia Wei Jinghua signed a Memorandum of Understanding on health and medicine.

Minister of Culture Nebojsa Bradic and Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Guangya signed a memorandum on the bilateral creation of culture centres.

PARLIAMENTARY FRIENDSHIP GROUP WITH CHINA MEETS WITH CHINESE PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION

The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, and the members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with PR China, met today at the National Assembly House with a delegation of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee, headed by its Chairman Wu Bangguo.

Greeting the VIP guest from China, the National Assembly Speaker pointed out that the visit is an expression of the traditional friendship and mutual efforts to further the two countries’ political and economic cooperation.

She stated that the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement ushered in a new stage in the two countries’ relations. PR China, one of Serbia’s four foreign policy cornerstones, understands and lends firm and principled support to Serbia’s foreign policy goals, especially its territorial integrity and sovereignty, in line with international law.

Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic stressed that a more varied and intense interparliamentary cooperation, via parliamentary friendship groups and the two parliaments’ working bodies, should contribute to the further development of bilateral relations.

The Chairman of China’s National People’s Congress Standing Committee stressed that China appreciates Serbia’s support of the “one China” policy and stated that China in turn supports Serbia’s sovereignty and understands its policy of approaching the European Union.

Chairman Wu Bangguo confirmed China’s readiness to strengthen commercial and economic cooperation with Serbia as the basis of overall relations, as well as encourage its entrepreneurs to invest in Serbia and continue the cooperation on infrastructural projects, power plants and in the sphere of high technologies.

Announcing that a Chinese cultural centre is to be opened in Serbia, aimed at stimulating cultural exchange, Wu Bangguo highlighted the need to intensify interparliamentary cooperation and invited the National Assembly Speaker to visit China next year.

The President of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with China, Prof. Dr Dragoljub Micunovic, expressed pleasure at China’s dynamic and contemporary development despite the global economic crisis. Micunovic pointed out that Serbia welcomes Chinese investments and proposed that they be used for joint export production, in view of the Chinese side’s high achievements in new technologies.