PREPARATION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES FOR EU INTEGRATION
17.06.2015

In the framework of the program "Support to Local Self-Government in Serbia in the EU integration process," which is funded by the Kingdom of Sweden, in Belgrade was held a forum entitled "The impact of the EU accession process on local government in Serbia", with the idea to analyze the place and the role of local government in the negotiation process of the Republic of Serbia with the European Union, as well as to present the degree of influence and obligations which arise for local government from the process of harmonization with the EU acquis in concrete negotiating chapters.

At the four round tables, which were organized by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCCM), discussed are the results of analysis of the impact of the EU accession process on local governments in the areas of state aid, financial control, public procurement, environment, energy, transport policy, rural development, regional policy, social policy and employment and culture. The participants of the round table were the mayors and presidents of municipalities, chairman of the negotiating group for negotiations on Serbia's accession to the EU, representatives of professional and civic society.

Boban Dzunic, president of Palilula Municipaliy-Nis, also participated in forum work. Nis - Palilula Municipality, in the statements of officials in charge of European integration, is highly assessed for its project activities and its contribution to these efforts.

In the opening part of a meeting, the attendees were addressed by Jadranka Joksimovic, from the Ministry in charge of European integration, Tanja Miscevic, Head of the Negotiating Team for negotiations on the accession of Serbia to the European Union, Zoran Perisic, president of SCTM and the Mayor of Nis, Torgni Svenungson, advisor the Embassy of Sweden and Richard Masa from the EU Delegation in Serbia. According to the organizers and participants words, the forum was the place to point out the consequences of the process of Serbia's EU accession, the competence and capacity of local governments and to the mutual dialogue negotiation structures at national and local government representatives to the crucial recommendations for the preparation of local government for taking over obligations that follow.