Participants of the online meeting, organized in collaboration with international expert Valts Kalnins under the auspices of the Council of Europe, actively contributed to the analysis of the existing lobbying regulations in Serbia. The aim of the meeting was to assess compatibility with GRECO and Council of Europe standards and to formulate recommendations for its improvement. The Association “Lobbying in the Public Interest” highlighted three key proposals that emerged from the constructive discussion at the academic committee meeting, which preceded the main meeting.
First, emphasis was placed on supporting the recommendations of GRECO and Transparency Serbia. Specifically, there is a need to expand the concept of lobbying to include contacts with individuals in the highest executive positions. Ana Aleksić, a representative of the Association, emphasized the importance of transparency in lobbying to avoid stigmatization and to provide the public with insight into lobbying activities.
Second, the Association proposed enhancing education about lobbying at the university and academic level, with the support of courses conducted by non-governmental organizations. The goal is to ensure adequate education for future lobbyists and promote transparency in their work. This proposal is further supported by the pioneering work of Dr. Nenad Vasić in founding the science of lobbying, lobbilogy, thereby establishing a framework for the Association’s activities.
Third, the Association proposed the establishment of publicly accessible contact information for licensed lobbyists through the Chamber of Lobbyists. This would provide citizens and institutions with access to relevant information about lobbying activities, thereby contributing to transparency and openness in this field.
In the conclusion of the presentation, it was highlighted that the proposals are the result of a consensus of the academic committee of the Association “Lobbying in the Public Interest.” The Association believes that the implementation of these proposals will significantly contribute to preventing corruption and improving transparency in Serbia.
The recommendations of Mr. Valts Kalnins, along with the presented proposals, are expected to be discussed at a roundtable scheduled for May 13, 2024, in Belgrade, providing an opportunity for further discussion and action aimed at improving the legal framework for lobbying in Serbia.