“Promoting Good Governance in Serbiaâ€
14 July 2011, Erwin H. HoferToday, it is widely recognized that sustainable development can only be achieved with good governance. The principles of good governance are closely associated with the way on how public institutions manage their resources and on how they provide their services efficiently, free of abuse or discrimination. Poverty and corruption are often rooted in the failure of governments to comply with sound public affairs management criteria. Good governance is also about citizens having the possibility to hold decision makers accountable for their actions and to enhance citizen’s participation in public and political life.
Switzerland offers a long-term support to Serbia in the implementation of her broad reform agenda on the road towards European integration. Good governance principles, along with Gender equality, are important cross cutting issues in the Serbian - Swiss Cooperation Strategy 2010-2013.
Two centuries ago, Switzerland was among the poorest countries of Europe faced with a population outflow and certain social conflicts. Today, it has a prosperous society with a high living standard. Achieving good governance in my own country lasted several decades and is still an ongoing process. Our intention is to share with Serbia some of our experiences and good practices. Through our cooperation programs we are not bringing pre-fabricated solutions, but we are supplying decision-makers with information on possible choices to be made by themselves.
Concerning governance issues, Switzerland’s support to Serbia is focused on the local level, fostering at the same time the integration between municipal and federal state levels. Regarding the national level, I would like to stress as an example the recent public discussion on the new Serbian Draft Law on Popular Initiatives and Referenda. The first version of this Law was prepared with inputs of our Citizens’ Participation project, implemented in close cooperation with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities. Serbian experts had the opportunity to become familiar with the Swiss way of working with Popular Initiatives and Referenda. They picked up some ideas and adapted them to the Serbian reality. The result is a genuine Serbian product, inspired by Swiss experience.
Coming back to the local level, I wish to praise the tremendous efforts undertaken by PROGRES and its team to work on governance principles in 25 municipalities of South and South Western Serbia. This joint Serbian, EU, UN and Swiss program is of strategic importance, operating in some of the least developed areas of the country. By stimulating a dialogue between citizens and local governments on how to achieve efficient public services for all citizens, and by co-financing the best quality projects, we hope to make a modest contribution to a sustainable development of these areas.
Erwin H. Hofer
Swiss Ambassador to the Republic of Serbia