The research of the Coalition for the Supervision of Public Finances showed that only in 2019 and 2020, through interstate investment agreements, the Republic of Serbia undertook financial obligations worth over four billion euros through 28 agreements, the Toplica Center for Democracy announced.
“All 28 agreements were concluded through direct agreements between the top authorities and various financial institutions and countries, without any public insight into their preparation and contracting. Obligations measured in billions of euros were undertaken without an analysis of alternative solutions and a clear explanation why a direct agreement is more favorable for our country in relation to market competition,” the research of the Coalition for Supervision of Public Finances states.
It was emphasized that through this type of contracting of the most valuable jobs in which the state is the contracting authority, in addition to competition, domestic legislation is eliminated and financial obligations are taken over that will settle generations who have not yet been born.
“In order to eliminate this perverse and financially unsustainable practice, the Coalition for the Supervision of Public Finances proposes that the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, which is in charge of ratifying such agreements and treaties, instead of unconditionally legitimizing irresponsible decisions of the Serbian Government, pass a law abandoned,” the statement said.
Otherwise, it is added, contracts like the one concluded between the Republic of Serbia and the Government of France in the amount of 581,000,000 euros, which is more than half of the projected budget of Belgrade for 2021, will become the dominant form of public spending finances in the Republic of Serbia and continuously create significantly higher costs for citizens than necessary, Danas reports.
