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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

670 flats for refugees in seven cities in Serbia by year’s end

Belgrade, 25 June 2007

Serbian Minister of Infrastructure Velimir Ilic said today that by the end of the year construction of 670 flats for 3,000 refugees in seven cities of Serbia should be finished within the framework of the Settlement and Integration of Refugees Programme (SIRP), financed by the Italian government.

Alessandro Merola and Velimir Ilic

Author: Tanjug

Addressing the press following a session of the SIRP Main Committee, Ilic said that until now 70% of these flats have been completed in Cacak, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Nis, Pancevo, Stara Pazova and Valjevo, for which the Italian government allocated €15 million.

He explained that the flats are being constructed at most favourable prices since agreement was reached with municipal representatives that location and infrastructure should be almost free of cost. Ilic stressed that the flats will be distributed only to disadvantaged families and refugees.

He said that it is planned that the programme for building flats for refugees and groups which are socially disadvantaged will be continued, and during the next year it will be financed with funds from the National Investment Plan and donations.

Italian Ambassador to Serbia Alessandro Merola said that the aim of SIRP, which is a three year plan and is in the last phase, is to integrate refugees into society and the economic life of local communities.

The SIRP began with a memorandum signed by UN Habitat Executive Director Anna Tibaijuka with the Italian government in September 2002.

The Italian government is financing this programme with €15 million, and the UN Habitat in cooperation with the Ministry of Infrastructure is implementing SIRP in the municipalities of Cacak, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Nis, Pancevo, Stara Pazova and Valjevo.

The SIRP aims to provide 670 new flats to 3,000 refugees and disadvantaged people, build institutional capacities for the development of social housing, offer help in social and economic integration of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well help in strengthening developmental capacities of local authorities in their development plans and founding of municipal information systems.