EU have followed the work of Rodoljub Sabic and his team very closely, and consider that Commissioner for Information of Public Importance ”showed the best way of fighting for implementation of European standards within areas crucial for respect of fundamental human rights,” said Head of teh EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport during the session of Parliamentary Committee for Culture and Information convened to mark the 10th anniversary of entry of Law on Information of Public Importance into force.
“European Union have always positively assessed the work of Commissioner and supported the development of his Office through successfully implemented IPA projects that have enabled the transfer of information and expertise from EU Member States. Today, the level of expertise of Commissioner’s team makes it a reliable partner of its European counterparts,” Davenport said.
“We are happy that Serbian citizens have recognised Mr Sabic and his associates’ major efforts. The best indicator of success is the trust citizens placed in their work, by extensively addressing independent institutions, seeking protection for their rights,” the EU Ambassador added.
“These results could have been even better, perhaps,” Davenport said, pointing out that Commissioner’s work “has not always been welcomed and followed by complementary activities of other organs and institutions, whose acts should have ensured effective implementation of Law and recommendations made by Commissioner”.
He recalled about some of the recommendations within the regular European Commission’s Annual Report on Serbia’s progress towards EU membership: “it is necessary to ensure the alignment with EU Acquis and secure sufficient financial and staff resources to Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection”.
He highlighted that Sabic played an important role in preparing new Law on Information and Personal Data Protection and pointed out the importance of adopting the regulation.
“We expect relevant Ministry (of Justice) to immediately start preparing the bill and take measures for its urgent adoption,” Davenport said.
According to him, European Union will continue to closely monitor this field, especially with regard to preparation of Action Plan for Chapter 23, as one of the most complex and most important chapters within EU accession negotiations.
“Commissioner and his team, as well as all the other institutions, are important interlocutors in this process, and we expect a more intense communication in the coming year,” Davenport said.
