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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Reform of environmental protection system precondition for Serbia's EU integration

Belgrade, 22 March 2007

Serbian Assistant Minister of Energy and Mining Vladan Karamarkovic said today that a successful reform of the system of environmental protection in the energy sector is a necessary precondition for Serbia's integration into the European Union.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the Group for environmental protection, held at the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Karamarkovic said that this group aims to contribute to a more efficient resolution of ecological problems in Serbia by linking all relevant factors, state organs, the economy and science and research institutions.

He reiterated that the Strategy for development of energy sector of the Republic of Serbia to 2015 focuses on environmental protection, rational use of energy and the use of renewable energy sources.

In January, the Serbian government adopted the Programme for the strategy's implementation in 15 energy sectors, Karamarkovic added.

Chairman of the Group for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Energy and Mining Miroslav Kukobat said that the South East Europe Energy Community Treaty, signed in October 2005 in Athens, prescribes the need to respect EU directives, both in the sector of electricity and gas and in the sector of environmental protection.

Kukobat warned that the failure to fulfill these obligations would lead to restriction of funds from international financial institutions and funds intended for the countries from the region.

Chairman of the Group for environmental protection Mihajlo Gavric said that environmental protection is EU's third priority and that 30% of EU accession requirements refer to ecology.

Gavric explained that energy and ecology used to be incompatible, but are now a single topic. He added that cooperation between competent authorities, local self-governments and companies is necessary in order to respond adequately to challenges that appear in the field of environmental protection.