The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic addressed the public hearing on the new laws in the field of energy and mining, where he pointed out that, in its current mandate, the National Assembly is greatly focused on considering legislative drafts in public hearings, which he considers to be good practice that largely helps the Assembly and MPs obtain important information and hear the views of a wide range of interested parties, and ultimately make the best decision.
At the beginning of his address, he thanked the attending for the initiative to have this public hearing on an extremely important issue - set of laws in the field of energy and mining, in the National Assembly today.
"These are perhaps the most important regulations considered by this National Assembly legislature, and I daresay, in the long term as well," said Dacic, adding that these bills regulate matters in areas of strategic, national importance, and he is therefore convinced that their assessment and the discussion on the solutions they propose, in this type of forum, is more than welcome.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH OF THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Honoured Deputy Prime Minister,
Fellow Members of Parliament,
Dear guests,
Thank you for the initiative to hold a public hearing in the National Assembly today on an extremely important topic, and that is a set of laws in the field of energy and mining. These are perhaps the most important regulations considered by this National Assembly legislature, daresay, in the long term as well.
We have before us legal drafts that regulate matters in the field of strategic, national importance, and that is why I am convinced that their assessment and discussion on the solutions they propose, in this type of forum, is more than welcome.
As you know, in its current mandate, the National Assembly is greatly focused on considering legislative drafts in public hearings. We are convinced that this is a good practice that largely helps the Assembly and MPs obtain important information and hear the views of a wide range of interested parties, and ultimately make the best decision.
That is why I thank you for being here today, first of all the Government and the Ministry of Mining and Energy for drafting these important and complex bills, as well as the members of the Parliamentary Committee on the Economy, Regional Development, Trade, Tourism and Energy. I would also like to thank our guests from civil society organisations, international organisations and public experts for their contribution to Serbia getting the most modern laws in these important areas.
The legal drafts before us, specifically the Bill amending and modifying the Energy Law, harmonise our energy system with EU regulations, which is our obligation, and at the same time increase the security of the energy supply, protect the interests of the consumers and all the players on the market, as well as boost competition.
When it comes to the Draft Law on Energy Efficiency and Rational Use of Energy, we will use it to create conditions for the efficient use of energy, saving and security of energy supply, as well as reduction of harmful impact on the environment.
I see the effects of the future Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources, also currently in parliamentary procedure, to be very much the same, bringing forth measures needed to achieve long-term goals. Above all, reducing the use of fossil fuels and greater reliance on renewable energy sources, which has positive effects for the environment and also reduces our dependence on energy import.
This law will undoubtedly stimulate the creation of new jobs in the field of renewable energy sources, encourage research, innovation and competitiveness in this field.
And speaking of the changes to the Law on Mining and Geological Research, these concern regulations referring to the management and use of strategic national resources, namely mineral raw materials. In this regard, the bill stipulates that geological research and exploitation of raw materials are in the public interest.
I am sure that in the course of today's public hearing, you will consider these bills openly and in detail, responsible and fully aware of their exceptional importance for the Republic of Serbia and all of our citizens.
I wish you a good and productive debate and thank you once again for participating in today's public hearing."
