Q:
A:
Western Balkans needs EU help to surmount crisis
Belgrade,
17 March 2009
Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic today stated that Serbia asks the EU to help Western Balkan countries to surmount the consequences of the global financial crisis and to prevent further migration of their citizens to Western Europe.
File photo of Bozidar Djelic
Author:
Fonet
In an interview with the Financial Times, Djelic said that the Serbian authorities ask the EU, World Bank and other international financial institutions to set aside $300 million for Serbia’s social and economic programmes.
He said that Western Balkan countries should be provided financial help as they have already been integrated into the EU in economic terms and will soon join the EU.
The Minister pointed out that the Belgrade authorities believe that Serbia will receive from $1.5 to $2 billion from the IMF.
Djelic explained that the loan would also include $520 million Serbia received in January.
Minister Djelic pointed out that in February the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and the European Investment Bank announced that they will provide help to the banking sector worth $24.5, adding that Serbia believes it would participate in that programme.
Djelic noted that Serbia’s GDP will probably go down to 1% in 2009.
The Minister stressed that the government is ready to decrease budget expenses and provide additional funds from privatisation, but Serbia will still need financial assistance.
Djelic concluded that despite the crisis, economic reforms in Serbia will be continued.
He said that Western Balkan countries should be provided financial help as they have already been integrated into the EU in economic terms and will soon join the EU.
The Minister pointed out that the Belgrade authorities believe that Serbia will receive from $1.5 to $2 billion from the IMF.
Djelic explained that the loan would also include $520 million Serbia received in January.
Minister Djelic pointed out that in February the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and the European Investment Bank announced that they will provide help to the banking sector worth $24.5, adding that Serbia believes it would participate in that programme.
Djelic noted that Serbia’s GDP will probably go down to 1% in 2009.
The Minister stressed that the government is ready to decrease budget expenses and provide additional funds from privatisation, but Serbia will still need financial assistance.
Djelic concluded that despite the crisis, economic reforms in Serbia will be continued.
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