Harmonisation of the Law on Public-Private Partnerships and Concessions with the Concessions Directive 2014/23/EU

Part of Serbia’s legislative framework governing public procurement is also the Law on Public-Private Partnerships and Concessions, enacted in 2011 (“LPPPC”). This Law establishes, for the first time in Serbian law, a systemic framework to regulate public-private partnerships and concessions.

At EU level, the area of concessions was regulated in 2014 by special Directive 2014/23/EU on the award of concession contracts. It seems the European Commission has recognised the award of concession contracts as an essential element of long-term development of the internal market, strategic development and strategic services, offering a way to harness the advantages of the private sector. Redress for participants in the selection of private partner is available before the Republic Commission for the Protection of Rights in Public Procurement.

To ensure full harmonisation of the LPPPC with Directive 2014/23/EU, this Law is currently undergoing a thorough overhaul, which will see this major legislative area fully harmonised with acquis communautaire, in particular the Concessions Directive 2014/23/EU, as part of Serbia’s activities under Negotiation Chapter 5 – Public Procurement (with PPP as an integral part).

If you have any questions regarding the amendments to the Law on Public-Private Partnerships and Concessions, please feel free to contact us at office@litricin.rs