The Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection Mr. Rodoljub Sabic and the Ambassador of the Republic of Italy in Belgrade Mr. Armando Varricchio spoke today about achieving the freedom of access to information of public importance and about the problems related to the implementation of European standards related to personal data protection in Serbia.

In this regard, the Commissioner Mr. Rodoljub Sabic stated the following:.

“I am truly satisfied because of the interest which Ambassador Varricchio has shown for the activities of the institution which I manage, as well as because of the evaluation of its work which he had given.

Despite the fact that Mr. Varricchio was interested in the field of the achievement of the free access to information among other things, the main topic of our conversation was the field of personal data protection, meaning the implementation of European standards in this area in Serbia as well.

It is well known that by signing the Stabilization and Accession Agreement with the EU, Serbia has undertaken some big commitments related to personal data protection, but, unfortunately, the state of the fulfillment of these obligations is not up to par.

A lot has been overseen and quite a few things have not been done. What was not done, at least the majority of it, is practically related to the activities of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection. The aforementioned, taken into consideration that all of this is a very complex task, which entails serious activities by a great number of stakeholders, especially the Government of the Republic of Serbia, is not and cannot be enough. In the coming year, everything that has been overseen has to be fulfilled, both in legislation and education, as well as when it comes to the strengthening of the capacities necessary for the supervision of the implementation of the law; all this entails doing a lot more than what has been done up until now.

In this regard, I am truly satisfied with the offer of the Ambassador Verricchio to have the Embassy of the Republic of Italy become involved in trying to improve our cooperation with the authorities of the Republic of Italy with regards to the field of personal data protection. Taken into consideration the objective state of affairs regarding the implementation of EU standards in this area, all the help, especially encompassing the exchange of experiences, the know-how, organizational solutions, education, etc. is more than welcome, especially since it comes from one of the oldest member states of the European Union.”