Report on reforms in environmental policy and reconstruction Republic of Serbia, Serbia and Montenegro 8 th REReP Task Force meeting September 23, 2005 Brussels, Belgium

Development of legal and policy framework  The fruit of the strategy in environmental sector is approximation to EU directives and other environmental agreements, implementation of concept of Sustainable Development, as well as medium and long-term prequalification of industry and other sectors according to the cleaner production concept;  Government of Republic of Serbia adopted National Strategy of Republic of Serbia for Accession of Serbia and Montenegro to EU;  Action plan of approximation to the EU regulations is adopted by Serbian Government, every year, setting up deadlines for adoption of laws in accordance with EU environmental regulations;

Development of legal and policy framework Government of Republic of Serbia accepted document “Council Decision on pronciples, priorites and conditions enclosed in the European partnership with Serbia and Montenegro including Kosovo, according to the Resolution 1244 of UN Security Council from 10th June 1999” where short-term and long-term priorities for sector policies are set up. Short-term priorities in environmental sector are already fulfilled: adoption of Law on Environmental Protection and establishment of Environmental Protection Agency.

Development of legal and policy framework Some of medium-term priorities are either fulfilled or their fulfillment is ongoing: adoption and implementation of legislation on environmental impact assessment in line with the EU acquis, adoption and implementation of strategy on pollution of air (notably from power plants), water (waste water) and soil (solid waste), strengthening administrative capacity notably as regards planning, permitting, inspecting, monitoring, as well as project management, development of a multi-annual plan for financing investments, based on estimations of costs and realistic sources of public and private funding.

Development of legal and policy framework  European Commission adopted Feasibility Study on preparedness of Serbia and Montenegro for negotiations for conclusion of SAA with EU in April 2005 where are given following recommendations: In the framework of an SAA, both Serbia and Montenegro would strengthen their co-operation with the EU in combating deterioration of the environment, in particular, but not exclusively, as regards air and water quality, pollution monitoring, promotion of energy efficiency and safety at industrial plants, classification and safe handling of chemicals, urban planning, waste management and protection of forest, flora and fauna.

Development of legal and policy framework  In December 2004, four environmental laws are adopted: Law on Environmental Protection, which is framework law, Law on EIA, Law on SEA and Law on IPPC. Laws on EIA, SEA and IPPC are drafted under Project “Assistance in drafting environmental regulation in Serbia”, financed by Finish government.

Development of legal and policy framework  Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection – Directorate for Environmental Protection is preparing a number of environmental laws which will be harmonized with relevant EU directives: Law on Waste Management – draft is prepared, and put into procedure for adoption by Government; Law on Chemical Management is under drafting with assistance within REReP Project “Assisstance in Environmental Law Drafting in SEE”, will be adopted by Government by the end of 2005; Law on Fishery – first draft is prepared; Law on Air Protection – first draft is prepared; Law on Nature Protection – under drafting; Law on Ionizing Radiation and Nuclear Safety – prepared draft; Law on Non-ionizing Radiation – under drafting.  Number of by-laws should be adopted after adoption of laws.

Development of legal and policy framework  National Strategy for Sustainable Development – ongoing project between UNDP and Serbia and Montenegro supported by SIDA; drafting of this Strategy is under direct competence of Cabinet of Deputy Prime minister;  National Environmental Strategy and Action Plan (NESAP) is an ongoing project funded by EAR. NESAP is in final stage of adoption procedure, deadline for its adoption is 29. December  MSEP-DEP is preparing Strategy for Sustainable Use of Natural Resources.

Development of legal and policy framework According to Law on Environmental Protection, a number of action plans have to be adopted by December 2006: -protection of air and atmosphere -forest protection -ecosystem protection -protected natural goods -for improvement of urban planning and spatial development -soil protection -waste management -chemicals management -protection from ionizing and non-ionizing radiation -accident protection -noise and vibration protection -sustainable energy management -development of information system -development of science research and education -development and application of economic instruments.

Civil Society/Public Involvement in Policy Making and Implementation  Laws on EIA, SEA and IPPC contain provisions on public participation in decision making;  Danube Regional Project for implementation of public access to information on Danube pollution and support public participation in decision-making on Danube issues;  Ongoing project “Capacity Assessment for Implementation of the Aarhus Convention”, UNITAR/UNECE.  Law on access to information of public interest is adopted.

Achievements in reducing environmental pollution  National Strategy for Waste Management (2003) includes plan for its implementation with precise administrative and technical measures and deadlines for their realization; MSEP- DEP financed during and 2005:  development of project documentation for sanitation and remediation of waste dumps for 31 municipality,  realization of projects of sanitation and remediation of waste dumps for 4 municipality,  development of project documentation for construction of 10 regional landfills.  Construction of Plant for the treatment of industrial, chemical and medical waste, phase I – it is planned to be financed trough CARDS 2006.

Achievements in reducing environmental pollution  Development of LEAPs – 14 are done, in 27 municipalities development of LEAP is ongoing; development of LEAPs for 8 municipalities is financed trough CARDS(EAR), for 8 municipalities by SIDA/REC, for 1 municipality by USAID and 1 municipality by SDC. MSEP-DEP is financing development of LEAPs for 6 municipalities.  Nutrient Reduction Danube-Black Sea, funded by WB – preparation phase is done by MSEP-DEP; implementation phase is to be coordinated by Ministry of Agriculture, Water management and Forestry.

Achievements in reducing environmental pollution There are several projects related to implementation of MEAs: GEF National Implementation Plan for Stockholm Convention on POPs, GEF National Capacity Self-Assessment for Environmental Management in Serbia and Montenegro (CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD), GEF Enabling Activity in Biodiversity, National Programme for final phase-out of CFC – Multilateral Fund for Implementation of Montreal Prototocol.

Achievements in reducing environmental pollution Pilot Project Pancevo “Environmental Monitoring and Sustainable Prequalification of Selected Industrial Areas” –funded by Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory; Establishment of System for Monitoring of Air Pollution in Pancevo – funded by Italian Government, UNDP, UNOPS, City of Venice and Province of Ravenna.

Environmental regional cooperation on cross border issues  REReP project – cooperation on protection and clean- up of Drina river and Perucac lake between S&M and BiH;  Transpark project – Djerdap National Park (S&M) and Iron Gates National Park (RO); West Stara Planina (cooperation between S&M and Bulgaria);  Active participation in ECENA (ex BERCEN) network of environmental inspectorates.