The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic convened the Second Special Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2011, for 14 March, starting at 11 a.m., and set the following agenda:

1. The election of Government members and oath taking ceremony.

National Assembly Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic informed the deputies that, in line with the provisions of the Serbian Constitution and Law on the Government, Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic had submitted the Nominations for Government members to the National Assembly.

Presenting the reconstructed Government’s programme, Serbian Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stressed that the priorities of the executive power, formulated in June 2008 when it was formed, would remain unchanged. For the rest of its mandate the Government will remain committed to creating the conditions conducive to Serbia’s speedy accession to the European Union, preserving Kosovo-Metohija within Serbia, agricultural development and improvement of the citizens’ living standard, development of a socially responsible state and social solidarity, uncompromising fight against crime and corruption, as well as full cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The Prime Minister declared that in the previous period the Government had consistently implemented reform in all social segments and made a significant step toward full membership in the European Union. He added that the Government would continue with the reform and in the upcoming months submit to the National Assembly Bills that would improve the manner of election of deputies, the issue of blank resignations, and define public property and the restitution issue.

Prime Minister Cvetkovic stressed that gaining candidacy status as an important step towards full membership in the European Union is of crucial interest for Serbia. The high quality and standard of living in the EU member states are one of the key reasons why Serbia’s EU membership is undoubtedly an issue without an alternative for the Government and the whole country, said the Prime Minister.

The Government remains determined and consistent to its position that it will never recognize the independence of Kosovo-Metohija and is employing all diplomatic means to preserve the province within its composition, stressed Prime Minister Cvetkovic. He stressed that the Government will do all in its power to, through dialogue, find a long-term sustainable solution that would guarantee stability in the region.

Elaborating the economic goals, Prime Minister Cvetkovic said that in the upcoming period the Government would implement measures to decrease unemployment and raise the living standard. He pointed out that dynamic growth of production and economic competitiveness are the only realistic grounds for the achievement of these goals.

Prime Minister Cvetkovic announced that the judiciary reform would be completed before the end of the Government’s mandate which will cement the rule of law and legal security.

At the end of his address, the Prime Minister stressed that for the remainder of its mandate the Government will remain consistent in its struggle to achieve the proclaimed goals and added that he will personally strive to make the Government more united and decisive in their struggle.

The National Assembly went on to debate the Proposal for the election of Government members submitted by Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic.

At the sitting, at the proposal of the Administrative Committee, the National Assembly verified the term of office of deputy Marija Bugarcic, elected from the Liberal Democratic Party – Cedomir Jovanovic electoral list.

Having completed the debate, the National Assembly Speaker set Monday, 14 March 2011, as Voting Day on the Proposal for the election of Government members, starting at 9:10 p.m.

Voting Day

On Voting Day, 14 March, by a majority of votes, the National Assembly decided to rule on the Proposal for the election of Government members by open ballot vote, by roll call.

With 129 votes in favour and 19 against, the National Assembly adopted the Decision on the election of Government members.

Verica Kalanovic was elected Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Mirko Cvetkovic, who is also the Prime Minister, was elected Minister of Finance, and Dusan Petrovic Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management. Nebojsa Ciric will be the Minister of Economy and Regional Development, Milutin Mrkonjic Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Milan Markovic Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Dr Zarko Obradovic Minister of Education and Science, Dr Zoran Stankovic Minister of Health, Dr Oliver Dulic Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning, Predrag Markovic Minister of Culture, Information and Information Society and Srdjan Sreckovic Minister of Religions and the Diaspora.

After the election, the Government members took their oath of office by reading the established text of the oath and signed the text of the oath.

National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic congratulated the Government members on being elected and wished them success.

The National Assembly ruled on the violation of the Rules of Procedure one deputy complained of during the sitting and decided that, in this case, the provisions of the Rules of Procedure had not been violated.

Since the National Assembly had completed the discussion on the only item on the agenda and ruled on it, National Assembly Speaker Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the Second Special Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2011. At the end of the proceedings, the National Assembly Speaker informed the deputies that the First Sitting of the First Regular Session of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2011 will be continued on Tuesday, 15 March, at 10 a.m.