"Amended statute draft to be adopted"

The ruling coalition has reached a deal on adopting the draft Vojvodina statute in parliament by the end of this year, a Belgrade daily writes today. According to an article in Vecernje Novosti, the Socialists (SPS), described as playing the main role in blocking the passing of the document, have agreed to vote in favor, after receiving assurances from the Democratic Party (DS) that all elements that gave Vojvodina the possibility to create "a state within a state" will be removed from the draft. "Amended statute draft to be adopted" The final version of the statute has been harmonized by the partners on the state level, says the newspaper, which will not contain any "statehood attributes" for the northern Serb province – which were contained in the original document. One of the provisions that will be removed from the statute is Vojvodina's right to pass legislation and call referendums. Another provision that will be thrown out is that designating Novi Sad as the provincial capital, and the one that would enable the province to open diplomatic offices abroad. The Democrats agreed to these demands made by the Socialists, the daily writes. Meantime, Vojvodina Assembly President Sandor Egeresi said that the fact the statute has not been adopted yet "will be considered as part of the EC report on Serbia's progress toward the EU in mid-October". The European Commission stated that the annual report will be released on October 14, and that its content will not be made public before that date.

"Amended statute draft to be adopted"

The final version of the statute has been harmonized by the partners on the state level, says the newspaper, which will not contain any "statehood attributes" for the northern Serb province – which were contained in the original document.

One of the provisions that will be removed from the statute is Vojvodina's right to pass legislation and call referendums.

Another provision that will be thrown out is that designating Novi Sad as the provincial capital, and the one that would enable the province to open diplomatic offices abroad.

The Democrats agreed to these demands made by the Socialists, the daily writes.

Meantime, Vojvodina Assembly President Šandor Egereši said that the fact the statute has not been adopted yet "will be considered as part of the EC report on Serbia's progress toward the EU in mid-October".

The European Commission stated that the annual report will be released on October 14, and that its content will not be made public before that date.