Meeting with the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection

Belgrade, July 4, 2024 - Representatives of the "EU Public Finance Management Facility" project met with the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, Milan Marinović, to discuss cooperation in the coming period.

At the meeting, the areas covered by the project were discussed, and its relevant activities were presented. The goal of this project is to improve the efficiency of budget execution, public financial management, and internal financial control in the public sector in accordance with the standards and best practices of the European Union (EU). During the conversation with the Commissioner, the importance of introducing the Value Added Tax Information Exchange System (VIES) for Serbia's future membership in the EU and the necessity for that system to be fully operational at the time of accession were emphasized.

The possibilities of the Commissioner's contribution to the realization of the project " EU Public Finance Management Facility " were also discussed, in accordance with the legal framework for the protection of personal data in Serbia and the EU. The Commissioner clarified that statistical and financial data are not within the competence of his office, but personal data is. He expressed optimism regarding future cooperation. Additionally, Commissioner Marinović mentioned that the preparation of the Action Plan for the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Strategy for the period 2023-2030 is in progress and emphasized the importance of engaging the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) during the public debate scheduled for the end of this year.

The project "EU Public Finance Management Facility " is financed by the European Union and implemented by UNDP, in partnership with the Center for Excellence in Finance (CEF) and the Ministry of Finance of Slovakia.