At the request of the Government, the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, convened the Fourth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008 for Wednesday, 16 July, starting at 10 a.m.

On the first day, before moving onto the agenda, at the request of the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the cessation of mandate by tendering resignation before the end of the term they were elected for, of deputies Goran Bogdanovic, Oliver Dulic, Vladimir Jovanovic, Vesna Martinovic, Nadica Momirov and Ana Tomanova-Makanova, elected from the electoral list For European Serbia-Boris Tadic, deputies Ivica Dacic, Dr Jovan Krkobabic, Milutin Mrkonjic and Dr Zarko Obradovic, elected from the SPS-PUPS-US electoral list and deputies Dragan Jovanovic and Branislav Nedimovic elected from the DPS-NS-Vojilsav Kostunica.

Based on the report of the Administrative Committee and Republic Electoral Commission, the National Assembly acknowledged the verification of mandate of deputies Smiljana Milisavljevic, Milan Stanimirovic, Snezana Sedlar-Kenig, Slavoljub Mitov, Srdjan Mikovic and Janko Veselinovic elected from the electoral list For European Serbia-Boris Tadic, deputies Branko Ruzic, Zoran Kasalovic, Dejan Radenkovic and Djura Peric elected from the SPS-PUPS-US electoral list and deputies Slobodan Samardzic and Velimir Ilic elected from the DPS-NS-Vojilsav Kostunica electoral list.

On the second day (17 July) the deputies asked to be heard, according to the Rules of Procedure, requested information and pointed out breaches of the Rules of Procedure. The Speaker, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the National Assembly that two deputy groups have been formed, New Serbia Deputy Group with deputy Velimir Ilic as its President, and deputy Miroslav Markicevic as Vice-President and Party of United Pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) Deputy Group, with deputy Momo Colakovic as President and deputy Konstantin Arsenovic as Vice-President.

On the third day (18 July), the National Assembly adopted the Government’s request to change the order of discussion of the items on the agenda, thus setting the following agenda for the Fourth Extraordinary Session:

1. The Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, submitted by the Government;

2. The Bill on the confirmation of the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, submitted by the Government;

3. The Bill on the confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas field, submitted by the Government;

4. The Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Additional financing for the traffic reconstruction project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

5. The Bill on the confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank (Gazela Bridge Rehabilitation), submitted by the Government;

6. The Bill on the confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank (rehabilitation of roads and bridges – B2), submitted by the Government;

7. The Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement (Additional financing for the energy efficiency project for Serbia) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Development Association, submitted by the Government;

8. The Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Additional financing for the energy efficiency project for Serbia) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

9. The Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Additional financing for the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

10. The Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Transitional agriculture reform project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

11. The Bill on the confirmation of the Donation Agreement from the Global Environmental Protection Fund (transitional agriculture reform project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

12. The Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement (Regional development of Bor project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Development Association, submitted by the Government;

13. The Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (Regional development of Bor project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, submitted by the Government;

14. The Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and European Investment Bank (Clinical centres project/A), submitted by the Government;

15. The Proposal of the Resolution of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on the continuity of state policy towards Kosovo-Metohija, submitted by the Government;

At the beginning of the sitting, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejnaovic informed the National Assembly that two deputy groups had been formed, Democratic Party of Serbia-Vojislav Kostunica Deputy Group, with deputy Milos Aligrudic as President, and deputy Radojko Obradovic as Vice-President and Socialist Party of Serbia (SPS)-United Serbia (US) Deputy Group with deputy Branko Ruzic as Pesident and and deputy Dragan Markovic-Palma as Vice-President.

For the rest of the day several deputies pointed out breaches of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, asked questions and requested information.

On the fourth day (21 July) the National Assembly commenced a joint discussion in principle on the Bills on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side and the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

After the deputies posed several questions and requested information, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic adjourned the sitting and informed everyone that work will continue in two weeks.

Continuation of the Session in September

On 2 September, starting at 10 a.m., the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republicof Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, continued the Fourth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republicof Serbiain 2008, which began on 16 July 2008.

On the fifth day of work, before moving on to the session’s agenda, at the proposal of the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the end of mandate before the end of the term they were elected for due to resignation, and death of the deputy, to deputies Zeljko Vasiljevic and Milos Simonovic and Dragan Tasic.

The continuation, before the discussion of the items on the agenda, i.e. the joint discussion, was marked by the objections of the deputies of the opposition parties at the National Assembly that the parliamentary majority is responsible for the blockade on work, as well as them pointing out violations of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure.

After a break,the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic based on the Administrative Committee’s and the Republic Electoral Commission’s reports acknowledged the verification of mandates of deputies Sasa Dujovic from the Socialist Party of Serbia-Party of United Pensioners of Serbia-United Serbia electoral list and Dusan Milosavljevic, from the electoral list For European Serbia-Boris Tadic.

On the sixth day of the Fourth Extraordinary Session, 3 September, the National Assembly commenced the joint unified discussion on the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, and the Bill on the confirmation of the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

On the behalf of the submitters, the deputies were addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic. Elaborating the bills, he stated that according to UNSC Resolution 1244, article 135 of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement specifies that it will be implemented on the territory of Serbia, but not in Kosovo-Metohija which is under international administration.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the by ratifying the Stabilisation and Association Agreement Serbia will not relinquish Kosovo-Metohija, and no one from the European Union has forwarded such a request to Serbia as a condition for its speedy integration. Apart from that, the resolution on the continuity of state policy towards Kosovo-Metohija which the parliament is also to discuss, clearly informs the European partners that Serbia will never acknowledge the independence of Kosovo-Metohija or trade it, adding that the only condition for the implementation of the SAA is fulfilling the obligations towards the Hague Tribunal.

Djelic stressed that the SAA is above all a trade agreement which will ensure Serbia’s economy, agriculture and citizens greater advantages and chances for development.

This agreement predicts a six-year period of contractual relations with the EU from the moment of ratification to the accession to the EU, said Djelic stressing that Serbia already realises 55% of its foreign trade with EU countries, which including CEFTA countries amounts to three quarters. By signing the Stabilisation and Association Agreement Serbia will have stable relations with countries that are its key partners, as well as a higher degree of legal and economic security for domestic and foreign investors, the Deputy Prime Minister pointed out and called upon the deputies to adopt these bills.

For the rest of the day the deputies conducted the joint unified discussion on the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, and the Bill on the confirmation of the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

On the seventh day of the Fourth Extraordinary Session, 4 September, the National Assembly continued the joint unified discussion on the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, and the Bill on the confirmation of the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

At the end of the joint unified discussion Bozidar Djelic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development,asked to be heard. He stated that, on the behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, he accepts the amendment, with modification, submitted by deputy Tomislav Nikolic, which confirms Serbia’s territorial integrity. Pointing out that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement will strengthen Serbia, he expressed his pleasure that a consensus has been reached in the National Assembly on the country’s three key strategic directions – defence of territorial integrity, joining the EU and building privileged relations with the Russian Federation. Thus, Djelic stressed, Serbia will show that it is a serious country and that it has national unity in the most important issues. Djelic restated that Serbia wants to join Europe, but it will never recognise the independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

After the Deputy Prime Minister’s closing words, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the joint unified discussion on the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, and the Bill on the confirmation of the Transitional Agreement on Trade and Trade Issues between the European Community on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

On the eighth day of the Fourth Extraordinary Session, 5 September, the National Assembly commenced the unified discussion on the third item on the agenda - the Bill on the confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas field.

On the behalf of the submitters, the deputies were addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Technological Development Bozidar Djelic and the Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Skundric.

Elaborating the Bill, Deputy Prime Minister Djelic stated that the Bill on the confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas field is in Serbia’s deepest national interest. Deputy Prime Minister Djelic pointed out that the energy issue is the focus of all debates in the world today, it is one of the most important elements of interstate relations, and this arrangement will give Serbia the chance to become an important factor on the European energy map.

Addressing the deputies, the Minister of Energy and Mining Petar Skundric stated that accepting the Agreement creates the conditions to firmly ground the development of Serbia’s energy industry on a rational energy policy, in line with the total energy potential and economic development in the future. The oil-gas arrangement with the Russian Federation is one of the most significant strategic and developmental projects in the next 30 to 50 years. The project includes the construction of an international magistral gas pipeline through the Republic of Serbia, relay stations, main measure-regulatory stations, it gives the opportunity for the construction of cogenerative thermal power plants, installations that at the same time produce heat and electricity and the reconstruction and additional capitalisation of the Oil Industry of Serbia. Calling upon the deputies to accept the Bill, Minister Skundric stressed that by realising this strategic project in the next six to seven years Serbia will take the leadership position in the energy industry in the region of south-eastern Europe, increase its gross national product, employment and quality of its citizens’ living.

By the end of the day the deputies had completed the discussion on the Bill, and following the closing argument of the representatives of the submitters, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the unified discussion on the Bill on the confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas field.

In the continuation of the Fourth Extraordinary Session, on 8 September, the deputies conducted a joint unified discussion on the 11 bills on the confirmation of agreements and contracts between Serbia and international financial institutions.

Presenting the contracts and agreements, the Minister of Finance Diana Dragutinovic pointed out that they pertain to loans and donations procured by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank and International Development Association, totaling 286.5 million euros.

The International Bank loans will be used for energy efficiency improvement projects, traffic reconstruction, rehabilitation of the Gazela bridge, as well as transitional agriculture reform projects, particularly the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems for flood prevention. The financing agreements between Serbia and the International Development Association deal with the improvement of the regional development of Bor, while the means from the contract with the European Investment Bank are intended for the reconstruction of the clinical centres in Belgrade, Kragujevac, Novi Sad and Nis.

Minister Dragutinovic stressed that Serbia’s debt position can be evaluated as feasible in the long-term since its public debt amounts to 8.6 billion euros, and foreign debt to 5.3 billion euros, adding that the budget laws for the 2006 to 2008 period predict the use of these loans.

During the discussion, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that there had been a change in the composition of the SRP Deputy Group and that deputy Dragan Todorovic had been appointed its President, with Gordana Pop-Lazic as his deputy.

She added that a new deputy group, “Forward Serbia”, had been formed in the National Assembly, comprising nine deputies, with Tomislav Nikolic as its president.

In the continuation, the Speaker of the National Assembly informed the deputies that under article 143 paragraph 1, in connection with article 160 of the National Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, the Government withdrew from procedure the Proposal of the Resolution of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on the continuity of state policy towards Kosovo-Metohija, forwarded on 10 July 2008.

Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic then informed the National Assembly that deputy Milan Vukovic had tendered his resignation to his post, which was also ascertained by the Administrative Committee. In line with article 88 paragraph 1, item 2 and paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Law on the election of deputies, at the proposal of the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly acknowledged the cessation of mandate before the end of the term he was elected for to deputy Milan Vukovic, elected from the electoral list For European Serbia-Boris Tadic.

Concluding the discussion on all the items on the agenda of the Fourth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic set 9 September 2008 as Voting Day, beginning at 10 a.m.

Voting Day

On the tenth day (9 September), set as Voting Day by the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, at the beginning of the session the National Assembly acknowledged the verification of mandate of deputy Bojana Stanojevic elected from the electoral list For European Serbia – Boris Tadic.

Having conducted a unified discussion on all the items on the agenda, the National Assembly adopted the bills in their entirety.

140 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side, while 28 were against.

With 140 votes in favour and 28 against, the National Assembly adopted the Bill on the confirmation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States on one and the Republic of Serbia on the other side.

214 deputies voted in favour of the Bill on the confirmation of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Government of the Russian Federation on cooperation in the oil and gas field, 22 were against and one deputy did not vote.

On Voting Day the National Assembly also adopted the 11 bills confirming the loans that the Republic of Serbia should receive from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank and International Development Association, in their entirety and by a majority of votes.

They are the following: the Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (“Additional financing for the traffic reconstruction project”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Bill on the confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank “Gazela Bridge Rehabilitation”, the Bill on the confirmation of the Contract of Guarantee between the Republic of Serbia and the European Investment Bank Rehabilitation of roads and bridges – B2, the Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement (“Additional financing for the energy efficiency project for Serbia”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Development Association, the Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (“Additional financing for the energy efficiency project for Serbia”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (“Additional financing for the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems project”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (“Transitional agriculture reform project”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Bill on the confirmation of the Donation Agreement from the Global Environmental Protection Fund (“Transitional agriculture reform project”) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement (“Regional development of Bor” project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Development Association, the Bill on the confirmation of the Loan Agreement (“Regional development of Bor” project) between the Republic of Serbia and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Bill on the confirmation of the Financing Agreement between the Republic of Serbia and European Investment Bank for the Clinical centres project/A.

At the end of the session, after the deputies voiced their opinions, the National Assembly did not rule that the articles of the Rules of Procedure were violated as the deputies pointed out during the session.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on all the items on the agenda and decided upon them, the Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the Fourth Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008.