Gradska opstina Palilula

The fifth session of the joint consultative committee was held on October 17th at the Office House in Niš. This committee was formed by the Government of the Republic of Serbia on June 26, 2014 as one of the bodies for implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement between the European Community and its member states from one of the old and the Republic of Serbia on the other. Topics of the fifth meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee were “Negotiations on Serbia’s Accession to the European Union and its Impact on the Sub-national Level of Government” and “Tourism as a Better Life-Catalyst at the Local Level”. Minister of State Administration Branko Ružić also addressed the participants of the meeting, who said that the sessions of the committee are very important in the exchange of experiences and acquiring the necessary knowledge of local self-governments on the road of Serbia towards the EU. The President of the Municipality of Palilula Aleksandar Ždrale and the President of the Municipal Assembly of Palilula Adriana Anastasov took part in this meeting.

Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Branko Ružić pointed out that public administration reform is one of the three key criteria for Serbia’s accession to the European Community. “Municipalities and cities have great obligations to join the EU, and through public administration reform, we are also reforming local governments, so that their administrations are more willing to respond to the challenges,” the minister said. The minister said that the reform refers to efficiency, economy, better resource management, but greater involvement of citizens in the decision-making process, especially at the local level. “We simplified and balanced the procedures in 188 procedures in cities and municipalities, digitizing the administration so that officials quickly exchange information and complete tasks, improve their knowledge and skills in order to better accept changes,” said Ružić, adding that the last Report Serbia’s progress in the EU integration process has seen progress in these areas. We also support these activities from the EU, which helps us in different ways, and the most important support comes through sectoral budget support amounting to 80 million euros. “The support that we receive through the work of bodies such as the Joint Consultative Committee of the EU is very important, because the exchange of experiences with local governments from European countries is very important for our municipalities and cities that carry 75% of obligations in the accession to the EU,” Minister Ruzic said.

The Fifth Session of the Joint Consultative Committee of the EU region brings together representatives of local governments and regions of EU countries, while Serbia has candidate status in this body. This body meets twice a year, from which once a year in Brussels, this time also in Niš.