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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

€2.6m for cross-border cooperation programmes

Belgrade, 30 June 2009

Deputy Prime Minister for EU Integration Bozidar Djelic and Head of the European Commission Delegation to Serbia Josep Lloveras today signed a financial agreement regarding the programmes for cross-border cooperation between Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, worth €2.6 million.

Author: Fonet

Following the signing of the agreement, Djelic said that the cross-border cooperation programmes will help promote productivity and competitiveness of economic, rural and environmental resources, as well as the exchange of people and ideas with the aim of improving cooperation between these four countries.

The Minister pointed out that the programmes will be financed by EU pre-accession funds.

This is an important step for the three former Yugoslav republics whit which Serbia is trying to build new relations, stressed Djelic, adding that Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future lies in the EU.

He explained that individuals, various organisations, citizens’ associations, local self-governments and all those who have an idea how to cooperate and improve relations with neighbouring countries will be able to apply for financing over the next three months, adding that each project will cost from €50,000 to €200,000.

All the relevant information will be published on web site: www.evropa.gov.rs or can be obtained from the Finance Ministry’s local offices.

On behalf of the Serbian government, Djelic voiced his appreciation to Lloveras for his support.

Lloveras pointed out that the agreement is very important as it will encourage cooperation between people living in border areas, recalling that this is the second stage of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) programmes and that the first one focused on the development of infrastructure and public institutions.

He said the second stage refers to small campaigns whose goal is to enable cooperation amongst countries in the region.

Assistant Minister of Finance Gordana Lazarevic recalled that three months ago the Agreement on Cross-Border Cooperation was signed in Pirot with EU members Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, explaining that today’s signing is a continuation of that programme.

Lazarevic stressed there is considerable interest in cooperation projects with Romania, announcing that the joint tender with Hungary will be announced in October and with Bulgaria in September.