At the fifth session of the Committee on Environmental Protection, held on 24 May, representatives of the Environmental Protection Agency gave a presentation on the necessity for building a hazardous waste treatment centre in the Republic of Serbia. The Agency’s director, Miroslav Nikcevic, took part in the session.

The deputies were informed that a hazardous waste management feasibility study was being made in order to solve the waste management problem. Resolving these issues is of special importance for the sustainable growth of Serbia’s economy and society, as well as for harmonisation with European legislation.

The environmental and economic advantages of building a hazardous waste treatment centre, instead of exporting or temporarily storing such waste, were presented to Committee members.

It was stated at the session that a donation had been secured for the first phase of construction, while funding for the remaining three phases would be provided from loans that several foreign countries are prepared to offer under very favourable conditions.

The Committee adopted the report on the necessity for building a hazardous waste treatment centre and expressed support for the efforts of the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection on creating the feasibility study. Miloje Savic, chairman of the Committee, suggested that presentations such as this should be given for representatives of local administration bodies engaged in environmental protection activities, in order to find a suitable location and support for building the treatment centre.