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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Conference “Environment for Europe” leads to increased funding for environmental protection

Belgrade, 8 October 2007

Serbian Assistant Minister of Environmental Protection Milan Stegic said today that decisions reached at the sixth ministerial conference “Environment for Europe”, which will be held from October 10 to 12 in Belgrade, should lead to increased funding for environmental protection in participant countries.

From left: Zoran Basaraba and Milan Stegic

Author: Tanjug

Stegic told a press conference that inadequate funding for environmental protection is one of the main reasons for unsatisfactory results in this area. He added that in the Serbian budget only 0.1% of the GDP is allocated for this purpose, while in Croatia this figure is 1.6% and in Russia 1.2%.

According to Stegic, the policy decisions made at the conference should lead to increased budgetary funds for environmental protection and inclusion of the private sector in financing environmental protection at local level.

He said that there will be a special discussion about international financial help in this area for South Eastern European countries, which is realised through bilateral and multilateral donators and international financial institutions.

During the conference a number of meetings will also be held between representatives of Serbia and European countries, the USA, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the European Commission at which Serbia will present its plan for environmental protection in the upcoming period, explained Stegic.

A sum of nearly RSD 110 million was spent to organise this conference, of which donations and sponsorship covered more than RSD 60 million, said Stegic. He added that proceeds from tourism alone during the conference will be worth some RSD 150 million.

Secretary General at the Ministry of Environmental Protection Zoran Basaraba said that 51 ministerial level delegations from Europe and all over the world and more than 30 intergovernmental and 200 non-governmental organisations will participate in the conference, as well as a number of representatives of the economic and education sectors.

Basaraba said that on October 10 at 8.30 am, representatives of participant countries will open the conference with bicycle riding, and at 9 am participants will be addressed by Serbian President Boris Tadic and Serbian Minister of Environmental Protection Sasa Dragin.

A total of 35 exhibition stands have been set up at the Sava Centre on the occasion of the sixth ministerial conference, and 63 accompanying events will also be held, said Basaraba.