Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic stated on Thursday that the draft law on restitution has been delivered to the European Commission, the Venice Commission, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and all interested governments, and added that the document would be submitted to the Serbian government for adoption in the first half of September.

The main goal of the document is to provide fair and clear framework for effective realisation of old owners' rights, Djelic said adding that between 100.000 and 150.000 citizens are expected to file a request to the government for return of property seized after World War II.

The principles whić served as guidelines for the working group in the drafting of the document comprise redress and dealing with reluctance to interfere with legally vested rights, and the law should provide solutions that would be feasible and practicable, Djelic said in the Serbian Chamber of Commerce during a presentation of the draft law on restitution.

He said that the essence of the law lies in restoring property to its rightful owners in cases where this is possible, while compensation funds would be provided for exceptions.

He recalled that EUR 2 million would be set aside for purposes of restitution and that the Directorate for Restitution, whić would probably grow into an agency, would be significantly reinforced with a view to ensuring a faster and more efficient restitution process.