Restitution bill to “help Serbia become modern state”

Serbian Deputy PM Bozidar Djelic stated Wednesday that after passing the bills on restitution and indemnification Serbia would be recognized as a modern state. Elaborating on the draft laws in the Serbian parliament, he said these laws would remedy historical injustice, restore legal security and improve the investment climate. Restitution bill to “help Serbia become modern state” Recalling that their adoption is one of the conditions for becoming an EU candidate country, the prime minister said that the authors of the bill had three things in mind - that the law should correct the injustice done to numerous families, observe property rights of current owners, and be drafted in accordance with the country's available assets in terms of property and funds. Djelic explained that all the property confiscated after World War II would be subject to restitution, including the real estate property, companies and movable property, as well as construction and agricultural land. The draft law prioritizes the return of property in kind wherever possible. In all other cases, former owners will receive pecuniary compensation or bonds according to the current market value. The bonds will be issued in euros. According to him, foreign citizens who were members of the occupation forces will not have the right to claim their property, while persons who have been rehabilitated in the meantime will enjoy the right. Djelic noted that, just like in other countries, certain buildings would be exempted from restitution. Hospitals, police, school buildings, as well as the Dedinje court will not be returned to their former owners. A new extraordinary sitting of the Serbian parliament began on Tuesday. The 13th extraordinary sitting in 2011 will focus on the bills on restitution and public property and amendments to the Law on the Restitution of Property to Churches and Religious Communities. Bozidar Djelic (Beta, file)

Restitution bill to “help Serbia become modern state”

Recalling that their adoption is one of the conditions for becoming an EU candidate country, the prime minister said that the authors of the bill had three things in mind - that the law should correct the injustice done to numerous families, observe property rights of current owners, and be drafted in accordance with the country's available assets in terms of property and funds.

Đelić explained that all the property confiscated after World War II would be subject to restitution, including the real estate property, companies and movable property, as well as construction and agricultural land.

The draft law prioritizes the return of property in kind wherever possible. In all other cases, former owners will receive pecuniary compensation or bonds according to the current market value. The bonds will be issued in euros.

According to him, foreign citizens who were members of the occupation forces will not have the right to claim their property, while persons who have been rehabilitated in the meantime will enjoy the right.

Đelić noted that, just like in other countries, certain buildings would be exempted from restitution. Hospitals, police, school buildings, as well as the Dedinje court will not be returned to their former owners.

A new extraordinary sitting of the Serbian parliament began on Tuesday. The 13th extraordinary sitting in 2011 will focus on the bills on restitution and public property and amendments to the Law on the Restitution of Property to Churches and Religious Communities.