U hotelu „Moskva“ u Beogradu je, 13. maja, održan okrugli sto na temu „Analiza Zakona o lobiranju i preporuke za unapređenje“, u okviru Projekta „Suzbijanje ekonomskog kriminala u Srbiji“, koji sprovodi Savet Evrope uz podršku Švedske agencije za međunarodnu razvojnu saradnju. Cilj događaja bio je da se predstave ključni nalazi analize Zakona o lobiranju i otvori prostor za diskusiju o neophodnim izmenama radi usklađivanja sa preporukama GRECO i otklanjanja postojećih prepreka za efikasno sprovođenje zakona.

Na skupu su prisustvovali dr Valts Kalnins ekspert Saveta Evrope, Vladimir Vinš, pomoćnik ministra pravde, Janoš Babić, šef kancelarije Saveta Evrope u Beogradu, Ana Selić, programski menadžer, prof. Marjan Tanuševski Bitolj, Makedonija, dr Predrag Jelenković  direktor SKC Niš, Nenad Vuković, predsednik Društva lobista, brojni licencirani lobisti u Srbiji, Dejan Damljanović direktor Agencije za spečavanje korupcije sa saradnicima, Ana Aleksić predsednica udruženja “Lobiranje u javnom interesu”  i predstavnici udruženja Transparentnost Srbija.

Ekspert Saveta Evrope dr Valts Kalnins, pripremio je tehnički dokumet koji sadrži 44 preporuke za unapredjenje pravnog okvira i prakse u vezi sa lobiranjem. Cilj ovih preporuka je da pomognu srpskim institucijama da unaprede zakon o lobiranju radi njegovog usklađivanja sa međunarodnim standardima i najboljom praksom.

Na početku obraćanja dr Valts Kalnins je rekao da je lobiranje oblast gde su zakonski propisi još uvek u fazi razvoja u mnogim evropskim zemljama, te je naglasio da je važno  shvatiti da je potrebno postojeći zakon razraditi, da bi se došlo do odgovora ko i kako utiče na političke odluke koje utiču na živote građana, kako se sprovodi lobiranje i po kojim interesima. Po ekspertovom iskustvu mnogi veruju da je lobiranje nešto što liči na korupciju, što je pogrešno shvatanje, jer je lobiranje vezano za osnovna demokratska prava, a to su razgovori sa donosiocima odluka i njihovo usmeravanje u određenom pravcu.

Prisutnima se obratio  profesor Marjan Tanuševski iz Makedonije, koji je preneo njihova iskustva u procesu donošenja i primene zakona o lobiranju. Kao neko ko je učestvovao u pisanju izmene zakona iz 2008.god zatim i kao edukator veštine lobiranja iz svoje  prakse preneo je iskustva i naglasio da su analize prakse pokazale da lobistima i lobiranim licima zakon o lobiranju često nije bio u fokusu jer nije bio dovoljno prepoznatljiv u javnosti. Pravilno i profesionalno lobiranje znači poštovati Zakon o lobiranju. Zato su u novom makedonskom Zakonu o lobiranju koji je na snazi od 2022.god posvetili pažnju lobiranju sa integritetom,  iz njihove prakse to najviše zavisi od lobiranih lica i institucija gde se lobiranje vrši.

Dejan Damjanović, direktor Agencije za sprečavanje korupcije, izrazio je zahvalnost Savetu Evrope na podršci, naglasivši da će ta podrška omogućiti efikasnije sprovođenje aktivnosti i doprineti izgradnji pravednijeg društva.

Svi učesnici su aktivno učestvovali u iznošenju svojih predloga na osnovu svoje prakse lobiranja i zato ovaj skup predstavlja važan korak ka unapređenju pravnog okvira lobiranja u Srbiji, kao i jačanju transparentnosti i odgovornosti u političkim procesima, u skladu sa evropskim standardima i preporukama GRECO.

On May 13th, a roundtable discussion on the topic „Analysis of the Law on Lobbying and Recommendations for Improvement“ was held at the „Moskva“ Hotel in Belgrade. The event took place within the framework of the „Combating Economic Crime in Serbia“ project, conducted by the Council of Europe with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency. The goal of the event was to present key findings from the analysis of the Law on Lobbying and to create a space for discussion about the necessary amendments to align with GRECO recommendations and to remove existing obstacles for the effective implementation of the law.

The event was attended by Dr. Valts Kalnins, an expert from the Council of Europe, Vladimir Vinš, Assistant Minister of Justice, Janoš Babić, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Ana Selić, Program Manager, Prof. Marjan Tanuševski from Bitola, Macedonia, Dr. Predrag Jelenković, Director of SKC Niš, Nenad Vuković, President of the Association of Lobbyists, numerous licensed lobbyists in Serbia, Dejan Damljanović, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency with associates, Ana Aleksić, President of the „Lobbying in the Public Interest“ association, and representatives from Transparency Serbia.

The Council of Europe expert, Dr. Valts Kalnins, prepared a technical document containing 44 recommendations for improving the legal framework and practices related to lobbying. The aim of these recommendations is to assist Serbian institutions in enhancing the Law on Lobbying to align it with international standards and best practices.

At the beginning of his address, Dr. Valts Kalnins stated that lobbying is an area where legal regulations are still in the development phase in many European countries. He emphasized the importance of understanding that the existing law needs to be elaborated to address who and how influences political decisions that affect the lives of citizens, how lobbying is conducted, and based on what interests. According to the expert’s experience, many people believe that lobbying resembles corruption, which is a misconception, as lobbying is related to fundamental democratic rights, including engaging with decision-makers and directing them in a specific direction.

Professor Marjan Tanuševski from Macedonia addressed the attendees, sharing their experiences in the process of enacting and implementing the Law on Lobbying. As someone who participated in drafting the amendments to the law in 2008 and as an educator in lobbying skills, he shared insights from his practice. He emphasized that analyses of the practice showed that lobbyists and those being lobbied often did not focus on the Law on Lobbying because it was not sufficiently recognized by the public. Proper and professional lobbying means respecting the Law on Lobbying. Therefore, in the new Macedonian Law on Lobbying, which has been in force since 2022, they dedicated attention to lobbying with integrity. According to their practice, this largely depends on the individuals and institutions being lobbied.

Dejan Damjanović, Director of the Anti-Corruption Agency, expressed gratitude to the Council of Europe for their support, emphasizing that this support will enable more effective implementation of activities and contribute to the creation of a fairer society.

All participants actively contributed by presenting their suggestions based on their lobbying practices, making this event an important step towards improving the legal framework for lobbying in Serbia, as well as strengthening transparency and accountability in political processes, in line with European standards and GRECO recommendations.