Serbia: Policy and Legal Advice Center (PLAC 4)

Details: Published: January 22, 2025

Kick-off of the project in October 2024, (from right to left): Miroslav Gačević, Stellvertretender Minister for European Integration, Samo Godec, Team Leader, Dijana Markovic Bajalovic, Key Expert

Serbia: Policy and Legal Advice Center (PLAC 4)
EU Service Contract
June 2024 – December 2026
IRZ: consortium partner
Budget: 2,39 Mio. Euro
Team Leader: Samo Godec
Responsible at IRZ: Teresa Thalhammer, Annette Conrad

The IRZ has been involved in the fourth phase of the so-called PLAC projects in Serbia as a partner of IBF since June 2024. The project supports the Serbian authorities in further preparing Serbian legislation and institutions for potential EU accession. It followed on almost seamlessly from the previous third phase. The focus is on the chapters that have already been opened and are currently a priority for Serbia in the context of the accession negotiations with the EU: 1, 3, 8, 9, 12, 15, 27 and 32.

The main point of contact and main beneficiary is the Serbian Ministry for European Integration, which is conducting the accession negotiations with the EU on behalf of the Serbian government. However, the project also works with numerous other ministries and authorities, with the ministries of economy, education, energy and construction, transport and infrastructure being particularly involved. These and many other departments are supported in the approximation of laws to the EU acquis in their respective areas of responsibility, with the aim of closing the relevant negotiation chapters. The consultations also extend to subordinate authorities, as the implementation of the legal framework in accordance with EU standards is also to be improved. Another important aspect of the project is to organise advice and training, particularly for the negotiating teams, so that they can manage the accession process proactively and methodically in line with EU requirements.