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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Consumer protection key to EU association

Belgrade, 22 December 2005

Serbian Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services Bojan Dimitrijevic said today that in a period of a few months a council of ministers will be formed for consumer protection which, in cooperation with other consumer organisations, should accelerate the implementation of the consumer protection law adopted last September.

Author: Fonet

Addressing a seminar held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce (PKS) with the theme “Priorities of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) in areas of legal harmonisation – consumer protection”, Dimitrijevic said that the ministry competed for European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) funds needed to help educate consumers and widen the network of organisations for consumer protection, concerning which a decision is expected in the upcoming year.

He added that the ministry is successfully cooperating and providing financial support to consumer organisations, and negotiations are being conducted with representatives of local self-governments concerning their provision of space and funds needed to complete the project.

He explained that in the implementation of the law, market and tourism inspections will play a key role, as well as the network of organisations and education of consumers who should know what rights they have. He recalled that this is the first time that there are systemic laws with which the state protects consumer rights connected with human rights and the process of EU association.

Director of PKS Ljubisa Dimitrijevic said that consumer protection is a key element in the EU Strategy to improve the quality of life of citizens, and added that the PKS will support that process with the aim of increasing trust in enterprises and their products.

Representative of EAR Benoit Hambuckers said that in the upcoming year the EU will allocate an additional €2 million for activities in that area, considering that it has been estimated that in Serbia the level of consumer protection is very low.

Expert of the advisory centre of the EU on economic and legal questions, the Policy and Legal Advice Centre (PLAC), Jeno Czuczai recalled that the Maastricht Agreement establishes consumer protection as an essential element of EU functioning, which is also shown by the fact that 120 sub-law acts have been adopted in that area.

He said that the European Court in Luxemburg constantly resolves cases related to consumer protection, and added that already 80 sentences have been passed in the framework of the association process.

Head in the EU Integration Office Jelena Popovic said that in relations between Serbia-Montenegro and EU, within the framework of constantly advancing dialogue, the most important theme is liberalisation of trade and competition, intellectual property protection, consumer protection, standardisation and metrology.