Project description

Title: Advisory services for legal reform in Serbia
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Republic of Serbia
Lead executing agency: Serbian European Integration Office (SEIO)
Overall term: 2011 to 2018

Context

Serbia is on its way to joining the European Union. In April 2008, Serbia signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU as well as the Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-Related Matters. Serbia has made significant progress in recent years towards harmonising its national legislation with the EU body of laws and obligations, the acquis communautaire. Currently, besides occasional advisory services on individual issues of commercial law, cooperation with Serbia focuses primarily on strengthening Serbia’s expertise, resources and performance capacity (capacity development) for implementing its revised legislation and taking responsibility itself for shaping the EU rapprochement process.

Objective

With a particular eye to the EU rapprochement process, Serbia is actively reforming its legal and institutional enabling environment for economic activity, thereby improving the economic and investment climate in the country.

Approach

This project, aimed at improving the application of law and legislative process in Serbia, supports capacity development among people, legal professions, institutions and professional associations, while also promoting forums for dialogue and creating networks. Compliant implementing and popularising of legislation along with optimising the legislative process together constitute three closely interrelated approaches to cooperation with Serbia. Above and beyond consulting on organisational and policy-making issues, the project is especially committed to fostering cooperation with trade associations and chambers of industry and commerce, universities, research and continuing education institutes, media and civil society organisations.

Results achieved so far

The project is building on results achieved by the predecessor project, while focusing on the meanwhile changed conditions in Serbia.

It seeks dialogue-oriented cooperation with its partners in the ruling government, parliament, civil society and the private sector.

With its three core areas of focus, the project supports the general legislative process and efforts to implement and disseminate law reforms, particularly in the commercial and civil codes.

• A transparent, efficient and participatory legislative process is the prerequisite for sustainable economic development.
• A capable and robust judicial system supported by closely related institutions such as notary offices, bailiffs and marshals helps establish legal security and improve investment climate.
• Dialogue between representatives from the private sector, civil society, government and parliament brings about sustainable reconciliation of interests.

Further information

• The Legal Reform Project in Serbia
  Local website of the project
  www.legalreform.rs/...