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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Government has not considered constitutional changes

Belgrade, 30 April 2009

Prime Minister Mirko Cvetkovic stated today in parliament that the government has not considered changes of the Constitution, but noted that this issue is “on the table” as part of overall reforms.

Cvetkovic recalled that the Constitution is the supreme legal act and stressed that changing the Constitution is a serious issue, adding that there is a series of ideas.

Speaking about Red Star Belgrade football club the Prime Minister said that Red Star is a Serbian brand and expressed his dissatisfaction with the latest events at the club.

The government will later notify MPs on measures regarding Red Star, Cvetkovic said.

Minister of Minister of Health Tomica Milosavljevic said that a woman suspected of having the swine flu has been admitted to hospital in Novi Sad today and added that the Torlak Institute will give a preliminary diagnosis this evening. He stated that the World Health Organisation has elevated the alert level for this disease to level 5, noting that level 6 would mean that the disease has become pandemic.

Milosavljevic stressed that a lot has been invested in previous years in equipping infective clinics in Serbia.

He also stated that sanitary surveillance on borders is higher.

Serbian Minister of Justice Snezana Malovic informed the MPs that amendments to the penal code are being prepared which will make penalties for assault on officials harsher.

She said that the overall penal policy will be made tougher; adding that up until now courts have been handing out minimum sentences and this must change.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Ivica Dacic stressed that it is very important to provide effective protection to members of the police force who are at growing risk and penalties for offences against police personnel should be made harsher.

He said that courts must give out tougher sentences, adding that 1,000 members of the police force have been killed on duty since 1992.

Dacic also stressed that every policeperson should act in accordance with their authority and never overstep it.

Minister of Trade and Services Slobodan Milosavljevic said that the drafting of a new antimonopoly law is almost complete and will be put before the Serbian parliament within two to three weeks.

Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Milan Markovic said that the government is planning a comprehensive reform of the political system and this will include a new law on the financing of political parties.