The Government of the Republic of Serbia on 11th of 2015. established the Council for the implementation of the Action Plan for Chapter 23 as the working body for the provision of professional support to the negotiating group for Chapter 23.
Country report on the information system, advisory and active assistance for the citizens of Serbia was developed as a result of the research conducted by the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights within the project Triple A for Citizens: Access to information, Advice and Active help. The research included the analysis of the legal framework in the field of provision of information, advisory services for the citizens and provision of free legal aid. The report provides the overview of the obligation to provide information and advice as defined by the regulations of the RS.
A conference on the implementation of activities proscribed by the Action plan for chapter 23 was held in the Small plenary chamber in the Republic of Serbia’s National Assembly building on November 1st 2016.
The conference was organized in four segments: Opening and keynote address; Questions pertaining to the judiciary within the context of the implementation of activities within Chapter 23 and the necessary changes to the constitution;
Belgrade is refusing to extradite three wanted Serbian Radical Party members to the Hague Tribunal, sparking claims that it’s trying to avoid the UN court hearing how PM Aleksandar Vucic was accused of witness intimidation.
Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, ICTY, came to Belgrade last week with a clear message: Serbia has to fulfil its obligations and extradite three of its nationals – Petar Jojic, Vjerica Radeta and Jovo Ostojic – to The Hague for trial on witness intimidation charges.
Axel Dittmann the Ambassador of Germany in Serbia stated today that Serbia made a significant step by opening the Chapter 23 because it concerns issues and principles that are vital for Serbia’s path toward the European Union.
„Essential for Serbia itself is the improvement of the rule of law since it is key for improving the investment climate and thus for sustainable economic development of Serbia. Also, the improvement of the rule of law is important for strengthening the rights of each citizen,“ pointed out Dittmann at the conference organized by the Human Rights Committee.
Germany strongly supports the opening of Chapters 23 and 24 in the negotiations of the European Union (EU) and Serbia and will continue to support you in this process – assessed today the Ambassador of Germany in Serbia Axel Dittmann and pointed out that it is now important to work on the implementation of the Action Plan from Chapter 23.
At the conference of the Committee of Lawyers for Human rights „Implementation of the Activities Envisaged by the Action Plan for Chapter 23 – Judiciary and Fundamental Rights“ Dittmann indicated that this Chapter is crucial because it deals with fundamental rights, the rule of law, freedom of expression, democracy and fight against corruption.
In addition to the negotiating Chapter 5 which deals with public procurement, the Council of the European Union currently holds the negotiation Chapter 25 (Science and Research) and Chapter 26 (Education and Culture).
We do not hide that we are very interested in opening these Chapters by the end of the year, said today Tanja Miščević, the Head of Serbia’s negotiating team.
It was noted on the 1st of November at the conference “Implementation of the activities envisaged by the Action Plan for Chapter 23” that implementation of high quality measures and overseeing of those activities represent the main challenge for Serbia as provided by Chapter 23 and it’s opening in July. Provided by Chapter 23 Serbia has 50 transition criteria that will be completed with activities provided by Action plan for that chapter, said Head of the Serbian negotiating team in negotiations on EU membership Tanja Miščević.
The implementation of quality measures within the set deadline and supervision of the implementation of these activities are the challenges Serbia faces in Chapter 23 following its opening in July – it was announced today at the conference „Implementation of activities envisaged by the Action Plan for Chapter 23“.
Srbija faces 50 transitional measures in Chapter 23 but they will be met through activities envisaged by the Action Plan for that chapter, said the head of the negotiation team of Serbia in negotiations for EU membership Tanja Miščević.
Axel Dittmann the Ambassador of Germany in Serbia stated that Serbia made a significant step by opening the Chapter 23 because it concerns issues and principles that are vital for Serbia’s path toward the European Union.
„Crucial for Serbia itself is improvement of the rule of law since it is key for improving the investment climate and thus for sustainable economic development of Serbia. Also, improvement of the rule of law is important for strengthening the rights of each citizen,“ said Dittmann at the conference organized by the Human Rights Committee.