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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Serbia grateful to Austria for its help, support

Belgrade, 8 October 2014

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic today expressed gratitude to Austria for its generous assistance to Serbia after the catastrophic May floods, and for its support on Serbia’s path towards the EU.

Sebastian Kurz, left, and Aleksandar Vucic at today's press conference

Vucic said at a joint press conference with Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz that Serbia is also grateful to Austria’s banks, institutions and humanitarian organisations that sent aid after the May floods.

Along with the United Arab Emirates, Norway and Japan, Austria is a country that helped Serbia the most in the clean-up of flood consequences, he said and also expressed his gratitude to the Austrian NGO Caritas which provided assistance to 205 families affected by the floods. Also, the Prime Minister pointed out that the Austrian Red Cross collected €1.7 million which will be distributed to those in need.

Vucic also thanked the Austrian media company Kurier, which collected €500.000 in aid for Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Kurz explained that the main reason for his visit is the evaluation of the situation after the May floods in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, noting that Austria has responded quickly and helped our country in many areas.

He thanked Vucic particularly for the excellent management of the funds received for flood relief, and documents and lists regarding their distribution and subsequent use.

Kurz underlined that this is very important as it is not taken for granted in other countries.

In addition, he congratulated Vucic on the positive report on Serbia’s progress in the European integration, which the EU will deliver today at 12.00, noting that five months of work on reforms, first of all in the field of the economy, helped boost the confidence of investors.

Kurz conveyed to Vucic the message by new European Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn that he is looking forward to cooperation with Serbia in the process of accession.

The Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to visit Sabac today, to learn about flood relief projects after the May floods and the work of Austrian humanitarian organisations there.