National Assembly Deputy Speaker Veroljub Arsic told the MPs that they should never forget the great responsibility bestowed on them by the public in the elections. He explained how important it is that they be as active as possible in the work of the parliamentary committees and working bodies because that gives them the opportunity to deal with laws not mere politics, which is the National Assembly’s main task. Arsic told the new MPs not to view the MPs of other political affiliations as enemies, but as political opponents airing their political views in the Parliament.
National Assembly Secretary General Jana Ljubicic briefed the new MPs on the National Assembly’s organisational structure and imminent strategic goals, as well as its support service. In her presentation on the National Assembly’s mode of operation, mission and vision for the near future the Secretary General provided the new MPs with guidelines for high-quality, successful work during their term of office.
The MPs were also addressed by NDI Director in Serbia Tom Kelly and UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) Resident Representative in Serbia Irena Vojackova-Sollorano.
Prof. Dr Zoran Stojiljkovic reaffirmed that the MPs have a great responsibility to the electorate which is why they should, from the very beginning of their term of office, establish and cultivate strong ties with the public.
Assistant Secretary General and Legislative Sector Chief Mirjana Radakovic explained the legislative process to the new MPs, the role of the committees in the Parliament’s legislative and supervisory work, while the Head of the Library Tanja Ostojic informed them how to cooperate with the research department and library. The MPs also had the opportunity to learn more about the role of independent institutions in the Parliament’s work via a panel discussion with the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection Rodoljub Sabic, Ombudsman Sasa Jankovic, State Audit Institution President Radoslav Sretenovic, Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency Vladan Joksimovic and Commissioner for Protection of Equality Nevena Petrusic.
Secretary of the Committee on Administrative, Budgetary, Mandate and Immunity Issues Svetlana Dedic and Budget Planning Sector Chief Maja Pavlovic informed the MPs of their rights and working conditions.
The seminar focused on European integration, international parliamentary cooperation, strengthening the parliament’s role in the budget process and control, sustainability of public finances, legislative reform in the function of employment and economic growth - topics presented by Head of Serbia’s EU Negotiations Team Tanja Miscevic, secretary of the European Integration Committee Aleksandar Djordjevic, Head of the Foreign Affairs Department Dusan Maksic, USAID BEP Economic and Fiscal Management Expert Majda Sedej, docent at the University of Belgrade Faculty of Economics Sasa Randjelovic and USAID BEP Business Regulation and Economic Governance Team Leader Dusan Vasiljevic.
Zoran Babic, Dubravka Filipovski, Gordana Rajkov and Marija Obradovic talked to the new MPs about the importance of informal modes of operation at the National Assembly through the best practice examples of GOPAC, Persons with Disabilities Group and the Women’s Parliamentary Network.
MP Dejan Nikolic spoke of the significance of constituency offices as motivators for the development of cooperation between the MPs and the citizens. Journalist Zoran Stanojevic spoke of the role of social media, while the Director of the Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) Vukosava Crnjanski Sabovic informed the MPs about of the role of civil society. Journalist Suzana Trninic discussed the relationship between the MPs, Assembly and the media.