THE POLITICAL AND LEGAL CONTEXT OF COOPERATIVES IN SERBIA, WITH A VIEW TO THE EUROPEAN UNION’S GREEN AGENDA FOR THE WESTERN BALKANS

Green agenda of the European union, family business and artifical intelligence – political and social aspects : thematic journal of papers. Book 1 (2025) (knjiga 1, 117-134. str.) 

 

AUTOR(I) / AUTHOR(S): Dragan Bataveljić 

Download Full Pdf   

DOI: 10.46793/87143.26.5.117B

SAŽETAK / ABSTRACT:

The author of the paper first points to the historical development of cooperatives, whose origins can be traced back almost a millennium. He also emphasizes the fact that there are a large number of different types of cooperatives and that it is a multidisciplinary concept. Previously, it was mistakenly thought that cooperation (association, cooperatives) existed only in agriculture. On the contrary, it exists in almost all areas of social life, but one fact is indisputable, and that is: the peasant has been a state builder throughout Serbian history, in the true sense of the word. He is tied to his hearth and the land he cultivates (that is his factory), which he inherited from his ancestors and which he passes on to his descendants. The importance of cooperatives is also demonstrated by the fact that, just two years after the founding of the first cooperative in the world (Rodgel, England, 1844), it was founded in Bački Petrovac (today in Serbia, and then part of the Austrian Empire) in 1846. However, the development of cooperatives in the area of today’s Republic of Serbia was very turbulent, uneven and unjustifiably neglected, with the adoption of various regulations that “hindered” its progress. It was only in the last decade of the 20th century that appropriate legal regulations (constitutions, laws and by-laws) were adopted in Serbia, which returned the property to cooperatives (although this procedure is very long, complicated and still ongoing). A special “momentum” in the reafirmation of cooperatives and, we can freely say, a true renaissance of cooperatives, was given by the current Constitution of the Republic of Serbia from 2006 and the relevant laws adopted on its basis. A special contribution to the revitalization of the cooperative movement in our country is made by the European Cooperative Movement and the necessity of harmonizing our national legislation with the legislation of the European Union. Finally, it should be emphasized that the EU Green Agenda for the Western Balkans opens up space for the aforementioned processes and for cooperatives to take their rightful place.

KLJUČNE REČI / KEYWORDS:

cooperative, European Union, Green Agenda, Republic of Serbia, Western Balkans, cooperative law

PROJEKAT / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

LITERATURA / REFERENCES:

  • Balkan Green (2023). Balkan Green Ideas. Nurturing Innovation for a Sustainable Future. Retrieved from www.balkangreenfoundation. org/en-us/press/602/ balkan-green-ideas-2023-nurturing-innovation-for-a- sustainable-future
  • Bataveljić, D. (2018). Aktuelna ustavna reforma u Srbiji, s posebnim osvrtom na sudsku vlast [Current constitutional reform in Serbia, with special reference to the judiciary]. Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Nišu, 81, 461-483.
  • Bataveljić, D. (2009). Decentralizacija i regionalizacija: nužni uslovi podele vlasti u Republici Srbiji [Decentralization and regionalization: necessary conditions for the division of powers in the Republic of Serbia]. Pravni život, 14, 501-516.
  • Bataveljić, D. (2018). Der Vertrag von Lissabon – ein Substitut fuer die gestcheiterte Europaische Verfassung. In S. Đorđević, S. Vladetić, & J. Labudović Stanković, Law in the Process of Globalisation: collection of papers contributed on the occasion of 40th anniversary of the Faculty of Law of the University of Kragujevac (pp. 71-85). Kragujevac: Faculty of Law, University of Kragujevac.
  • Bataveljić, D. (2023). Violation of Human and Civil Rights in the world and in Serbia. In V. Ristić, M. Maksin, & J. Bošković, Book of Proceedings, IRASA, 5 (pp. 572-575). Belgrade: International Research Academy of Science and Art.
  • Bataveljić, D., & Bataveljić, B. (2012). Etička pravila novinarske struke i odgovornost medija za delatnost novinara [Ethical rules of the journalistic profession and the responsibility of the media for the activities of journalists]. Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Nišu, 61, 171-202.
  • Bataveljić, D., & Bataveljić, B. (2018). Uzroci demografske krize srpskog naroda i održivost najnovijih mera pronatalitetske politike [Causes of the demographic crisis of the Serbian people and the sustainability of the latest pro-natality policy measures]. Pravni život, 9, 675-692.
  • Bataveljić, D., & Božić, V. (2024). Contemporary migrant crisis with the special overview of the protection of constitutional rights of the citizens of immigration countries. Baština, 63, 115-132.
  • Bataveljić, D., & Kijevčanin, R. (2024). Ustavno-pravni položaj Kosova i Metohije – poseban osvrt na kršenje osnovnih ljudskih prava nealbanskog stanovništva [Constitutional and legal status of Kosovo and Metohija – special attention to the violation of fundamental human rights of the non-Albanian population]. U M. Mijatović, & B. Bursać, Mi i drugi kroz vizuru Kosova i Metohije: tematski zbornik naučnih radova, Knjiga 2 – Politikologija, pravo, sociologija i komunikologija (str. 67-83). Leposavić: Institut za srpsku kulturu Priština.
  • Bataveljić, D., & Lutovac, M. (2019). The effect of the Serbian othodox church in creating the State of Serbia. Ius Romanum, 2, 254-272.
  • Bataveljić, D., Nikezić, S., & Matić, M. (2012). Development initiative of manufacturing and service clusters in the Republic of Serbia Corridor 10 Zone. Ekonomika poljoprivrede, 4, 727-745.
  • Vujatović-Zakić, Z. (2000). Koopmenadžment [Cooperative management]. Beograd: Dunav-Preving.
  • Dabić, LJ. (2024). Zadružno pravo, kao posebna naučna disciplina [Cooperative law, as a separate scientific discipline]. In D. Bataveljić, Zbornik radova „Zadrugarstvo, kao moderan oblik preduzetništva” (pp. 19-35). Topola: Centar za obrazovanje i stručno osposobljavanje.
  • European Commission (EC). (2019). The European Green Deal. Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:b828d165-1c22- 11ea-8c1f-01aa75ed71a1.0002.02/DOC_1&format=PDF
  • European Commission (EC). (2020). An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans COM(2020) 641 final. Retrieved from https://neighbourhood- ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-10/communication_on_wb_ economic_and_investment_plan_ october_2020_en.pdf
  • European Commission (EC). (2020). Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – An Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans SWD(2020) 223 final. Retrieved from https:// eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/ PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020SC0223
  • European Commission (EC). (2020). Sustainable Europe Investment Plan – European Green Deal Investment Plan. Retrieved from https://ec.europa. eu/commission/ presscorner/api/files/attachment/860462/Commission%20 Communication%20on%20the%20European%20Green %20Deal%20 Investment%20Plan_EN.pdf
  • Zakić, Z. (2013). Zadrugarstvo i ruralni razvoj: povezane teme u procesu evrointegracije Srbije [Cooperatives and rural development: related topics in the European integration process of Serbia]. In M. Ševarlić, & S. Šljukić, Tematski zbornik “Stanje i perspektive zadrugarstva 3” (pp. 27-52). Beograd: DAES.
  • Ilijić, N. (1999). Istorija zadruge kod Srba [History of cooperatives among Serbs]. Beograd: Javno preduzeće „Službeni list SRJ“.
  • International Co-operative Alliance. (1995). International Co-operative Alliance Statement on Co-operative Identity. ICA News, No. 5-6.
  • Jelić, S., Rajić, Z., & Popović, M. (2024). Uloga porodičnih poljoprivrednih gazdinstava i zadruga regiona u funkciji razvoja [The role of family farms and regional cooperatives in the development function]. In D. Bataveljić, Zbornik radova „Zadrugarstvo, kao moderan oblik preduzetništva“ (pp. 93-104). Topola: Centar za obrazovanje i stručno osposobljavanje.
  • Marković, G. (1938). Komentar Zakona o privrednim zadrugama [Commentary on the Law on Economic Cooperatives]. Beograd.
  • Mitrović, M. (2020). Nacionalni program za preporod sela Srbije: stanje, problemi i prioriteti održivog razvoja [National Program for the Revival of Serbian Villages: Status, Problems and Priorities of Sustainable Development]. Beograd: Institut za ekonomiku poljoprivrede.
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (1844, mart ). Građanski zakonik za Kraljevinu Srbiju [Civil Code for the Kingdom of Serbia]. Retrieved from https://www.harmonius.org/sr/pravni-izvori/jugoistocna- evropa/privatno-pravo/srbija/Srpski_gradjanski_zakonik_1844.pdf
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (2006). Ustav Republike Srbije [Constitution of the Republic of Serbia]. Beograd: „Sl. glasnik RS“, br. 98/2006 i 115/2021.
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (2009). Zakon o poljoprivredi i ruralnom razvoju [Law on Agriculture and Rural Development]. Beograd: “Sl. glasnik RS”, br. 41/2009, 10/2013 – dr. zakon, 101/2016, 67/2021 – dr. zakon, 114/2021 i 19/2025.
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (2015). Zakon o zadrugama [Law on Cooperatives]. Beograd: Sl. glasnik RS 112/2015.
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (2021). Zakon o klimatskim promenama [Climate Change Act]. Beograd: “Sl. glasnik RS”, br. 26/2021.
  • Narodna skupština Republike Srbije. (2023). Pravilnik o upisu u registar poljoprivrednih gazdinstava, promeni podataka i obnovi registracije, elektronskom postupanju, kao i o uslovima za pasivan status poljoprivrednog gazdinstva [Rulebook on entry into the register of agricultural holdings, changes in data and renewal of registration, electronic procedures, as well as on the conditions for the passive status of an agricultural holding]. Beograd: “Sl. glasnik RS”, br. 25/2023, 110/2023, 3/2024 i 34/2024.
  • Nikezić, S., Doljanica, S., & Bataveljić, D. (2013). Charismatic and transformational leadership: approaches for effecting change. Annals of the Oradea University, Fascicle of Management and Technological Engineering, 2, 179-187.
  • Nikolić, M. (2009). Evolucija zadružnog zakonodavstva u Evropi [The evolution of cooperative legislation in Europe]. Beograd: Društvo agrarnih ekonomista Srbije.
  • Rajić, Z., Jelić, S., & Živković, D. (2023). Uloga zadrugarstva u razvoju ruralnih područja Srbije [The role of cooperatives in the development of rural areas in Serbia]. In M. Marković, Zbornik radova „Održivi razvoj Braničevskog okruga i energetskog kompleksa Kostolac“. Kostolac:
  • Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). (2020). Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. Sarajevo. Retrieved from www.rcc. int/download/docs/Leaders% 20Declaration%20on%20the%20Green%20 Agenda% 20for%20the%20WB.pdf/196c92cf0534f629d43c460079809b20. pdf
  • Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). (2021). Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021-2030. Sarajevo. Retrieved from rcc.int/docs/596/action- plan-for-the-implementation-of-the-sofia-declaration-on-the-green-agenda- for-the-western-balkans-2021-2030
  • Starčević, D. (202). Predgovor, Dušanov zakonik, Zakon blagovernog cara Stefana – Bistrički prepis [Preface, Dušan’s Code, Law of the Faithful Emperor Stephen – Bistrica Transcript]. Beograd: Ethos.
  • Tomić, D., Branislav, G., & Ristov, K. (2017). Vodič kroz zadrugarstvo Srbije– praktični priručnik [A guide to cooperatives in Serbia – a practical manual]. Beograd: Institut za ekonomiku poljoprivrede Beograd.
  • Council Directive supplementing the Statute for a European company with regard to the involvement of employees, 2001/86/EC (European Council 10 8, 2001).
  • Council Regulation (EC) on the Statute for a European Cooperative Society (SCE) – Uredba o EZ, No 1435/2003 (European Council 7 22, 2003).
  • Council Regulation on the Statute for European Cooperative Society, OJ, L 207, 1435/2003 (Council of Europe 8. 18., 2003).
  • Council Regulation supplementing the Statute for European Cooperative Society (SCE), OJ, L 207, 1435/2003 (Council of Europe 8. 18., 2003).