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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Twinning projects on unemployment reduction presented

Belgrade, 11 December 2007

State Secretary at the Serbian Ministry of Economy and Regional Development Vladimir Ilic said today that the twinning projects titled “Support for developing a national employment policy” and “Modernisation of the National Employment Service” will contribute to reducing unemployment rate in Serbia.

From left: Wolfram Maas, Daniel Giuglaris, Josep Lloveras and Vladimir Ilic at today's press conference

Speaking at a press conference, Ilic said that the projects mentioned will also strengthen political, institutional and legal frameworks for the employment policy and added that they are a strong impetus on Serbia’s path to Europe.

He explained that these two projects aim to link administrations of EU countries with Serbian administration in order to strengthen capacities, so that Serbia could move towards EU standards and become able to execute structural reforms.

According to Ilic, the support project for the national employment policy aims to bring equality in the labour market and reduction in regional and local differences, and it will also develop the policy of helping population groups which are worst hit by unemployment, mainly the youth, persons with disabilities and minorities.

Ilic said that this project is being implemented by the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development and the German Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, while the other project is being implemented by the Serbian Employment Service and the German Federal Employment Agency.

Both projects are being financed by the EU and managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR).

The twinning projects, which are instruments for supporting cooperation between institutions of EU countries with corresponding institutions of candidate countries, began in November this year and will last for two years.

Head of the European Commission delegation to Serbia Josep Lloveras recalled that the EU is conducting some 20 joint projects with Serbia, and the latest two with German participation should contribute to improving general frameworks for employment in Serbia.

Director of the EAR in Serbia Daniel Giuglaris explained that the effect of the said two year projects cannot be assessed in advance and added that their aim is to help the Serbian government become more efficient in supporting the unemployed and creating new jobs.

German Ambassador to Serbia Wolfram Maas said that Germany focused on supporting capacity development in local administrations in Serbia and invested nearly €500 million in the development of energy and infrastructure during a period of seven years.