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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Adoption of new constitution first step towards decentralisation

Belgrade, 11 March 2005

Serbian Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government Zoran Loncar said today that the adoption of a new Serbian constitution is the first step towards establishing decentralisation in all fields and the beginning of a more intensive cooperation of citizens and authorities at all levels.

Author: Beta

Speaking at a press conference occasioned by the implementation of a new project of the European Movement in Serbia called ‘European Programmes for Serbian Municipalities’, Loncar said that principles of decentralisation should be applied both at the state and local levels.

According to Loncar, much has been accomplished with the adoption of the Law on local self-government, however, the implementation of that law has shown that local bodies cannot carry such a heavy weight of authority and that is why it is necessary to strengthen the institutions of local self-government.

He said that the support that Serbia received from foreign partners has been used in the right way at the state level, but not at the local one, noting that this must be changed because only in that way Serbia will get closer to the European Union.

Head of the OSCE mission to Serbia-Montenegro Maurizio Massari pointed out that modern society rests on the principles of democratisation that envisage activity of municipalities in solving general problems. The decentralisation process is long and complex and its realisation requires patience because only in that way will satisfactory results be achieved, Massari stressed.

Finnish Ambassador to Belgrade Anna Maija Korpi said that participation of citizens in making decisions concerning municipalities they live in is very important, stressing that they must have the support of the state.

The European Movement in Serbia’s programme for Serbian municipalities will be carried out in 49 municipalities with the aim of boosting competence and technical capacities of local authorities and civil sector in the communication with European partners.