Tim za socijalno uključivanje i smanjenje siromaštva

Participants of the ninth session of the Parliamentary Committee for Stabilization and Association of the European Union and Serbia (POSP), held in Belgrade on 29 and 30 October 2018, have called for the opening of the European Social Fund (ESF) that would be used by Serbia.

The Declaration and recommendations to the Council for the stabilization and association and institutions of Serbia and the European Union were adopted at this session. In addition to the call for the opening of the ESF, the session served to emphasize the importance of a constant cooperation of the parliament with civil society organizations for strengthening its role and calling on Serbia to increase efforts on implementing the reforms presented in the Economic Reform Programme (ERP).

The participants of the seventh session of the Joint consultative committee of the civil society of EU and Serbia (ZKO), held in Belgrade on 25 October 2018, have also considered the use of EU funds with the aim of reducing inequality and implementing reform in the field of employment and social policy. The focus of the session agenda was on monitoring progress within Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment.

The declaration adopted at the session welcomed the decision of the EC to increase funds under the new phase of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) and expressed the belief that EU funds should be used to decrease social and economic inequalities.

Furthermore, ZKO has called on Serbian authorities to concentrate on the implementation of structural reforms that would contribute to social progress and social cohesion, through close cooperation with social partners and civil society organizations. Authorities were in particular advised to carefully study the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights when preparing reforms under the ERP.

Source: www.centaronline.org