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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

EU will increase funds for recovery of Serbia, Western Balkans

Belgrade, 30 April 2020

Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic participated today in a video conference of Western and Western Balkan Ministers of Foreign Affairs and European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi.

The EC Communication was presented, which is designed to contribute and support the EC to the Western Balkans in addressing the consequences of COVID-19 and the socio-economic recovery of the region after the pandemic, which will be an important part of the agenda of the Western Balkans and EU Leaders Summit video to be held May.

On this occasion, Varhelyi presented the EC's positions and plans ahead of the EU-WB Summit, stressing that despite the emerging crisis, the region remains the EU's focus.

He stressed that the communication points to EU financial assistance to Western Balkan partners, totalling €3.3 billion.

According to him, the EU will continue to allocate significant funds that are not part of the current financial package, and the focus will be on long-term plans to help the region, primarily through the economic development and investment plan, which will be presented in the autumn.

At the same time, the Commissioner announced an initiative to increase grants to the Western Balkans, not just credit lines, and stressed that this would particularly apply to regional infrastructure projects in the field of trans-European networks (energy, transport, digital network and green agenda).

Joksimovic emphasized that the crisis was a kind of "moment of truth" for the EU and the region, and noted that, on the whole, the test of credible partnership and solidarity was passed.

She said that the EU's investment and intent to support and support post-pandemic recovery so far is of great importance for stimulating short-term and long-term recovery of both Serbia and the whole region, but also a significant impetus to the reform process and bringing the region closer to the Union.