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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Focus on rule of law in coming period

Belgrade, 28 December 2020

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic stated today that European integration remains a strategic priority of the country and one of the most important tasks, noting that the focus will be on the rule of law, since good results have been achieved in the other two pillars of integration – in economic and public administration reforms.

In the debate in the National Assembly on the Draft Conclusion on the occasion of the presentation of the EC report on Serbia for 2020, which was submitted by 15 deputies, Brnabic underlined that the government of Serbia is pro-European.

The Prime Minister mentioned that we have opened 18 chapters so far, two are temporarily closed, and five are ready to be opened, pointing out that the EC Report contains the most important recommendations, i.e., what Serbia should work on in the future.

She pointed out that Serbia has decided to substantially change things and not to pass laws for the sake of the law, but to work on making Serbia European in terms of results.

Serbia is eagerly waiting to see how the new enlargement methodology will be applied, which means opening clusters, i.e., certain areas, instead of chapters, said the Prime Minister.

When it comes to the three pillars on which European integration rests, Brnabic said that Serbia has done the most in the economy and that it has received the most praise for it, and that it has come a long way in the area of public administration reform.

According to her, e-government essentially means the fight against corruption, which concerns the third pillar, and that is the rule of law.

In the first month since the formation of the government of Serbia, a lot has been done in the area of the rule of law and a clear signal has been given that this will be one of the focuses, she pointed out and noted that Serbia has published GRECO recommendations.

Brnabic expressed her gratitude to the Assembly for adopting the Code of Conduct for MPs, along with the amendments proposed by the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption, which concerned GRECO's recommendations, as well as for electing the Commissioner for the Protection of Equality as soon as possible. members of the State Council of Prosecutors and presidents of courts throughout Serbia.

When it comes to media freedom, the Prime Minister reminded that the government has adopted an action plan for the media strategy, formed a working group for that, as well as for the protection and safety of journalists whose members will meet at least once a month.

Brnabic assessed that the election conditions in 2020 are much better than in 2012, and that the freedom of the media today is incomparable with the one from 2011 and 2012.

A working group for the implementation of ODHIR recommendations has been formed, she said, adding that they are still working on improving the election conditions, which is in the interest of both the ruling party and the coalition, because that gives greater legitimacy to the government.

The Prime Minister pointed out that Serbia has shown readiness for dialogue with Pristina, as well as great flexibility and courage, stating that the speed in that process does not depend only on Serbia.

What we will insist on is the Union of Serbian Municipalities, and we cannot go into new agreements if Pristina does not implement the first agreements, said Brnabic, expressing gratitude to Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varhely and EC President Ursula von der Layen.