At the European Integrations Committee sitting held on 11 November, the Head of the European Union delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert presented the European Commission’s 2010 progress report on Serbia.

Degert stated that the Report was basically positive as it states that Serbia has achieved progress in political democratisation and experienced a slight economic recovery. However, several spheres have exhibited problems, primarily that of judicial reform and suppression of corruption and organised crime. There were also objections to the sphere of rule of law i.e. the existing electoral system, particularly the deputies’ blank resignations. Regarding it, he said that the electoral system and blank resignations are not conducive to reinforcing the deputies’ responsibility before the citizens which is why the electoral law should be amended and the blank resignations rescinded.

The Report also objects to the operation of the National Assembly i.e. lack of broader debates before the adoption of a law, extensive agenda for the sessions and frequent application of the urgent procedure institute in the enactment of laws. It also draws attention to the flaws in the Parliament’s control and monitoring role, primarily in the sphere of human rights protection, freedom of the media, opening up of the market, privatisation, as well as a delay in the enactment of the law on restitution and financing of political parties etc.

The Head of the EU delegation to Serbia emphasised that the European Union endorses Serbia’s accession and he believes that it would manage to step up to all the challenges and achieve progress in all the areas listed in the document. The National Assembly should play a key role in the process, stressed Degert.

The Committee members stated that some of the evaluations in certain areas are unfavourable for Serbia and agreed that the blank resignations should be rescinded.

The sitting was chaired by Laszlo Varga, Committee Chairman.