Local development, competitiveness and employment have been in the focus of the first phase from the European Union Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) for Serbia in 2023. The agreement worth EUR 70 million was signed today by the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, and also the Minister of the European Integration and National IPA Coordinator Jadranka Joksimovic. Serbian President Aleksandar Vuci'c was present in the signing ceremony and also the event was followed online through the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhely.
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vuci'c, thanked the European Union for the comprehensive assistance throughout the memorial service today.
“This there's help extremely important and i'm infinitely grateful towards the European Union for this new package for the untapped economy, social and economic development, and employment. This provides one more incentive for reforms, which we're strongly continuing with because I believe that the countries of the Balkans possess a place in europe, which is undoubtedly an extremely important partner for Serbia,” said President Vuci'c.
“These are pre-accession funds from the European Union, intended for the general growth and development of the negotiating country, to make the country as prepared as possible if this joins and to reduce regional differences, both internal regional differences in the country and also to get nearer to that. the average progression of European regions, which created the European Union. “Negotiations are essential, reforms are important, however they bring what is a concrete improvement and when Serbia were now an associate, we'd have 1.3 or 1.4 billion euros annually in the structural funds,” said Minister Joksimovi'c.
After the EUR 93 million for immediate and long-term economic assistance in March, in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU has become enabling additional funds to be used by Serbian citizens, institutions and firms.
“Assistance to Serbia during the crisis and this new aid package is a clear proof of the ecu Union's resolve for Serbia on its road to the EU, which was confirmed at the EU-Western Balkans summit in early May in Zagreb. This package will help Serbia be more competitive, provide employment help the population, and assist the country's economic development. I am glad that people worked very well together during the pandemic and our support for Serbia on its road to the EU continues. “Commissioner Varhelyi said.
The donations will support Serbia's socio-economic development, employment, and social policies which are more vulnerable people.
In particular, EUR30 million is going to be dedicated to competition, agriculture, innovation and rural development, with grant support deliver to up to 450 micro enterprises, start-ups and business support organisations within the less developed regions of Serbia.
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, special focus will be also placed on strengthening the capacities for surveillance and response to communicable diseases as well as employment, education and social protection on most vulnerable groups, using the total of EUR25 million.
About EU in Serbia:
The EU is definitely the largest donor, investor and economic partner of Serbia with more than EUR 3 billion in non-refundable assistance in Serbia through various projects since 2001. Every year, the EU donates around EUR200.000 for social and economic development of Serbia.
During the COVID-19 crisis, the EU has allocated EUR15 million for emergency assistance. Included in this assistance, the EU has purchased altogether 150 intensive care device, 100 triage containers with equipment, 800.000 masks, 100 oxygen concentrators, reagence for 25000 tests on COVID as well financed 15 cargo flights for Serbia. During the pandemic the EU in Serbia reached over 15000 vulnerable people as well as their families, providing them with food and hygiene packages.
