Strategic Moves - Regional Environmental Center for Central and ...

106
C H A P T E R 5
N AT I O N A L S T R AT E G I C A N D I N S T I T U T I O N A L F R A M E W O R K
S T R AT E G I C M O V E S
which is in the drafting phase. The key strategic documents that provide guidance for
the development of water supply and sewage facilities and wastewater treatment plants
include master plans for wastewater drainage and treatment for the southern, and for
the central and northern regions respectively (2004, 2005); and master plans for water
supply (2006). Legislation in the area of water management will be harmonised with
the EU acquis through the adoption of new secondary legislation. Alignment with
European standards needs to be improved substantially and further efforts are required
in order to improve implementation and enforcement (EC SEC [2009] 1336).
The most significant progress has been observed in the waste sector. The Law
on Waste Management (2008) represents the legislative framework in the field of
waste management. Local self-government units will develop local waste management
plans based on the Republic Waste Management Plan. The law introduces innovations
in waste management practices, as local governments are obliged to
comply with requirements on selective waste collection, waste disposal in sanitary
landfills and waste treatment in accordance with EU standards. Financial and administrative
limitations have delayed the implementation of the Waste Management
Law from November 1, 2008 to January 1, 2010 (EC SEC [2009] 1336).
The key documents that set the strategic directions for activities in waste management
and provide for integrated regulation are the National Waste Management
Policy (2004) and the Strategic Master Plan for Waste Management at Republic
Level (2005). Developments can be seen in the implementation of the Strategic
Master Plan for Waste Management, as the preparation of project documentation
for identified priority projects has been initiated. According to the EC progress report,
alignment with European standards needs to be considerably improved and
accelerated, in particular concerning the Landfill Directive and the Waste Shipments
Regulation (EC SEC [2009] 1336).
There was little progress in the adoption of environmental laws in Serbia until
May 2009, when a set of 16 environmental laws was adopted (amendments, new
laws and regulations). The adopted laws are aimed at achieving harmony with EU
regulations, and at introducing stricter penal policies. Among the laws adopted
were the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Waste Management and
the Law on Packaging and Packaging Waste. A National Sustainable Development
Strategy (NSDS) was adopted in May 2008. It is structured around three pillars:
knowledge-based sustainability; socio-economic conditions; and the environment
and natural resources. Legislation enforcement at all levels has still to be ensured.
Progress in the area of water quality is lagging behind and there is no legal or
institutional framework in place (EC SEC [2009] 1339). There is a lack of longterm
planning for the water sector, and there are currently no appropriate strategies
for preparing and implementing water infrastructure investment projects at any
level (national, regional, local).
The new Water Act (last amended in 1996), which introduces new instruments
for the financing of the water sector, including appropriate tariffs, is currently
being drafted and had not been adopted as of the date of this publication.
The draft of the new Water Act will be harmonised with EU directives as well as
with relevant national legislation.