At the session held on 10 May 2005, members of the European Integrations Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia discussed the Bill Ratifying the Agreement on Trade in Textiles concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union, proposed by the Government of the Republic of Serbia.

Presenting the Bill, the Minister for International Economic Relations, Milan Parivodic, underlined that the Agreement would come into force on the first day of the second month following the adoption of the Ratification Bill by the National Assembly, and urged deputies to put the Bill on the agenda of the Assembly as soon as possible. The vice-chairperson of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Radmila Milivojevic, said that the first and most important step was to inform textile companies throughout Serbia of the opportunities and obligations arising from the Agreement on Trade in Textiles.

The discussion stressed that the Agreement was only an institutional framework for developing opportunities presented to textile companies, and that it was up to the managers of those companies to create conditions for their success in the European market.

The European Integrations Committee endorsed the Bill Ratifying the Agreement on Trade in Textiles concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the European Union, and recommended that the National Assembly should adopt it as soon as possible.

Members of the European Integrations Committee endorsed amendments submitted by deputy Djordje Mamula to libel and insult provisions of the proposed Criminal Code. The amendments relate to the abolishment of prison sentences and application of fines only. The explanation of amendments submitted by Mr Mamula states that it is the tendency in European legislation to replace prison sentences with fines for libels and insults.

The session was chaired by the chairperson of the European Integrations Committee, Ksenija Milivojevic.