The Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic convened the Third Special Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008, for Monday, 15 September, starting at 1 p.m.

The sitting ceremonially commemorated the International Day of Democracy – 15 September. On the occasion, the National Assembly was addressed by the bearers of the highest state functions in the Republic of Serbia, as well as representatives of international organisations.

The sitting, held in the House of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, was opened by the performance of the national anthem of the Republic of Serbia, “God of Justice”.

In addition to the members of parliament, the sitting of the National Assembly was attended by David Lance Clark, the UN Resident Coordinator, the President of the Republic, Boris Tadic, the Prime Minister, Mirko Cvetkovic, the members of the Government and the Government Secretary-General, the president of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, academician Nikola Hajdin, representatives of the religious communities, Vida Petrovic-Skero, the president of the Serbian Supreme Court, Sasa Jankovic, ombudsman, Rodoljub Sabic, Trustee for information of public importance, Zdravko Ponos, the Chief of the Serbian General Staff, general-major Miodrag Jevtic, head of the Military Medical Academy, Milorad Veljovic, Police Director, Sasa Vukadinovic, director of the Security-Information Agency, Aleksandar Tijanic, director of Radio Television Serbia, Dragan Djilas, the Mayor of Belgrade, Branko Kovacevic, rector of the Belgrade University, Dejan Simic, director of the Belgrade Opera and representatives of the diplomatic corps.

The Speaker of the National Assembly Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic greeted the present guests and addressed them with the words:

“Let us remember that in September 1997 the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the world parliamentary organisation adopted the Universal Declaration on Democracy. The General Assembly of the United Nations, following the initiative of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, brought a decision proclaiming 15 September the International Day of Democracy. Through history, democracy has either flourished or was curbed, even tried to be eliminated, but in almost all societies of the world it appeared stronger, more certain, substantial and stable.

Democracy’s lofty goal is to preserve and promote dignity and basic personal rights, achieve social justice, promote the economic and social development of countries, strengthen social cohesion and thus create conditions conducive for the preservation of international peace. Democracy, development and human rights are therefore interdependent. In democracy, human rights are promoted and protected in such a way that they can influence the formulation of laws and policy through freedom of speech, freedom of association and the right to elect a representative at a free and fair election.

Democracy is not only an ideal to be sought, but also a form of government that should be implemented in accordance with the modalities that reflect the difference of experiences and cultural specificities, all in line with internationally recognized principles, norms and standards. Therefore, the progress of democracy depends on various political, social, economic and cultural factors. In a word, there is no universal recipe for the form of democracy.

Parliaments are the central institutions of democracy. They should enable the voters to evaluate the members of parliament in what they do. An inseparable democratic function of the parliament, as well as its duty, is to be efficient, meaning that it must be well organised in order to provide a ‘service’ for the needs of all citizens. In democracy, where all the citizens are respected and equal, women have an equally important role as men. Women constitute somewhat more than a half of the world’s population. Societies are much more just, and democracy is stronger when women participate in all the aspects of political life.

As a democratic country, Serbia respects in full all the international instruments forming the essence of international law and the principle of the Charter of the United Nations. In this process it particularly advocates the strict implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted on 10 December 1948, as well as the International Covenant on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights adopted on 16 December 1966. Serbia also pays special attention to the principles of the International convention on the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination, as well as the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The Declaration on criteria for free and fair elections adopted in March 1994 is particularly important for parliamentary democracy. Serbia has demonstrated and proved that the principles of this declaration are an inseparable part of its electoral process.

In line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, a special task of all parliaments is to maximally strive to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries and that the policy of force be eliminated in intestate relations.

Therefore, we expect that our initiative at the General Assembly of the United Nations be accepted, in which we ask that the resolution requesting an opinion from the International Court of Justice on the illegitimate, unilateral and illegal declaration of independence of the Serbian Province of Kosovo-Metohija be adopted. The International Court of Justice which was created with the goal of protecting the principles of the Charter and international law should not ignore that request.

I believe that we can rightfully expect that the International Court of Justice in its opinion will uphold the universal democratic principle of territorial integrity and sovereignty of countries, and with it the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia in its internationally recognized borders. The Serbian Parliament fosters democracy by its representativeness, reflecting social and political differences of the population, ensuring equal rights and protection of all deputies, in a way that enables free and creative realisation of our mandates, and allows our work to be accessible to the public. Over the millennia, years, days, the face of democracy has changed making man more free, stronger, more ready to successfully pave the road from biology to culture.

On the International Day of Democracy, let us join those who claim that there is never enough of democracy, especially parliamentary democracy,” were Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic’s parting words.

Following the National Assembly Speaker’s speech, the participants were addressed by the President of the Republic of Serbia, Boris Tadic.

Stressing that the United Nations, all the countries of the world, celebrate democracy today in a solemn way, Tadic said that this event testifies that democracy has become a global value, that it is a political form of government which is a standard and a criterion for all regulated free societies. According to him, this event also testifies that the world is becoming united, at least in its acceptance of democracy as a political and market economy as an economic system – these are the ruling ideas “whose time has come” today.

Tadic reminded all present that after the horrible experiences of the 20^th century, freedom faltering and bloody wars, today peace, freedom and equality among people and nations exude the strength of the highest generally accepted values, also adding that in practice and real life these are often violated and that endangering these values is a moral and political transgression condemned by civilisation.

Addressing the public and the participants of the formal sitting, Tadic reminded them that two centuries ago Serbia was liberated in a democratic, popular revolution, it overthrew feudal rule and agreed to democracy and on that long road it had to overcome numerous enemies, domestic and foreign. The President of the Republic deemed that Serbia today is a free democratic state, but also warned that populism, demagogy and government corruption are the most frequent dangers for democracy.

According to him, Serbian democracy is young and fragile and must gain as many friends and defenders as possible. Democratic government must use the people’s trust to develop a democratic spirit, fortify democratic institutions and include more and more citizens into social reform.

At the end of his speech, the President of the Republic Boris Tadic said:

“No democratic authority can forget that the citizens are the bearers of sovereignty, therefore, they are the highest authority. Ancient thinkers have left us yet another historic experience and advice:

There cannot be a good state without good citizens, and good citizens can be created only by a good state.”

The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Serbia, David Lance Clark, began his address to the participants of the formal sitting by congratulating Serbia on the progress it has made in democratisation over the recent years. He particularly stressed the importance of elections for achieving progress, deeming that the numerous elections in Serbia had exceptionally impressive results.

Clark also said that Serbia has achieved a significant progress in the area of human rights, including the establishment of the Office of the national Ombudsman and adoption of laws on the rights of persons with disabilities. However he also pointed out that there are two groups in Serbia who are particularly endangered in the area of human rights – Roma and persons with disabilities, who face many problems, education being the gravest.

Lance Clark also said that he has had a chance to talk to the National Assembly Speaker on the advantages and capacities of the parliament and that hey had agreed to have the new draft Law on the Assembly and the Rules of Procedure discussed.

Reiterating the statement of the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon that democracy is crucial for peace, human rights and development, Clark stated that democratisation is not “a sprint but a marathon” and that in the struggle, the United Nations will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Serbian people.

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic held the last speech of the sitting.

In his address to the members of parliament and guests he stressed that it was time Serbia, taught by historic experience, began building a modern state with clear goals and ways of achieving them.

He pointed out that the Government is in favour of a European future of the country, preservation of Kosovo-Metohija, strengthening the economy and social responsibility, combating crime and corruption and abiding by international law. He added that these clear principles are the real basis for a speedier development of a democratic Serbia.

The Prime Minister stressed that the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country is one of the most important tasks. In the struggle to preserve Kosovo-Metohija Serbia has chosen the way of peace, negotiations and diplomatic and legal struggle, which is also a proof of democracy, because Serbia wants to become a true stability factor in this part of Europe. At the same time, according to him, Serbia asks that international law be respected on its territory too, that it will struggle for it in the UN and that it expects the UN General Assembly and International Court of Justice to give a real estimate of the illegally declared independence of Kosovo-Metohija.

“In order to preserve Kosovo-Metohija we must strengthen Serbia economically”, the Prime Minister pointed out, “and the only way is to be open to the flow of goods and capital both to the East and the West. That is why Serbia’s European future has no alternative.”

The Prime Minister stressed that the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union is the most serious step Serbia has made in this direction. He also pointed out the importance of the gas and oil agreement with the Russian Federation which should ensure Serbia’s energy stability and its speedy development.

The sitting at the National Assembly House was concluded with the sounds of the European anthem, “Ode to Joy”.

After the Prime Minister’s speech, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic concluded the Third Special Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in 2008.