The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic addressed the constituting meeting of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) Serbia National Branch, where he pointed out that the Republic of Serbia is committed to the fight against corruption at all levels.
On the occasion, Dacic said that that is why GOPAC has an extremely important place in the anti-corruption structure and its role in that sense is extremely important.
"As an organisation operating in 50 countries, in all regions of the world, GOPAC justifies its role as an important promoter of anti-corruption policies", said Dacic, adding that GOPAC is a unique international network of parliamentarians gathered around one specific goal, which deserves to be used even more to make our fight against corruption even more effective.
Towards the end of his address, Dacic thanked the UNDP and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation for supporting this parliamentary activity, especially their representatives attending today’s constituting meeting of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption.
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH OF THE SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA IN ITS ENTIRETY:
"Dear fellow MPs,
Distinguished representatives of international organisations,
I have the pleasure to greet you at the beginning of today's important meeting, our national branch of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption elect its where the bodies and present this year’s activity programme. I am glad that, in this way, we are continuing the activity of an important parliamentary forum that also has an important international dimension.
The Republic of Serbia is committed to the fight against corruption, at all levels, and in that fight, the role of the parliament and each individual MP occupies an important place, not only as a participant in the adoption of laws in this area, but also because of our control role in the fight against corruption, prevention of money laundering, supervision of the Government’s work and public spending.
That is why GOPAC has an extremely important place in this anti-corruption structure and its role in that sense is extremely important. As an organisation operating in 50 countries, in all regions of the world, GOPAC justifies its role as an important promoter of anti-corruption policies.
In Serbia, we are not satisfied with the results in the fight against corruption, and I am sure that we will never be completely satisfied. Our legislation in this area provides a good framework for effective anti-corruption efforts which is acknowledged in many reports of relevant international organisations. Of course, we must constantly move forward in this matter and make the fight even more efficient.
But good legislation, in itself, is not enough to succeed in the fight against this negative phenomenon. Constant and mutually coordinated action is needed not only within the state structure, but in cooperation with the non-governmental sector and international organisations as well. In this sense, I consider the role of GOPAC very important, as our tie with current international experiences and especially innovative legal solutions that will enrich our anti-corruption practice.
That is why GOPAC is a unique international network of parliamentarians gathered around one specific goal, which deserves to be used even more to make our fight against corruption even more effective.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the UNDP and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation for supporting this parliamentary activity of ours, and especially their representatives who are here with us today.
In the end, I wish you success in the continuation of this constituting meeting and, for my part, I would like to remind the future leadership of our GOPAC national branch that it can count on my full support and cooperation in all future activities."
