Q:
A:
Agreement on EU grant for development of southern Serbia signed
Vranje,
19 July 2010
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert signed an Agreement today on the allocation of an EU grant for the implementation of a “European Partnership with Municipalities – PROGRESS” programme worth €17.5 million.
Djelic underlined that the goal of the programme is to stimulate the development of 25 municipalities in southern and south-eastern Serbia over the next three years, adding that the EU is Serbia’s partner in the reform of administration, balanced regional development and European integration.
The PROGRESS programme should enable Serbia’s underdeveloped municipalities to compete for larger funds later on.
This programme will deal with the improvement of infrastructure, municipality services to citizens and companies and promotion of one’s own development potential, Djelic explained.
Djelic announced that a law on public property should be adopted by the end of the year, which will give back the jurisdiction to municipalities and provinces over property in their territory.
Degert said that Europe has not forgotten the south of Serbia and that it will take care that the principles of the EU on balanced regional development are implemented in this region as well.
However, you have to know that the capacity of municipalities for drafting projects has to be improved, Degert reinforced.
Director of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in Serbia Beatrice Meyer outlined that the Swiss government has supported the programme with €2.5 million as it is concerned with migration management.
PROGRESS Programme Manager Graham Tindal called on cities and municipalities to prepare appropriate projects of strategic importance and compete for funds.
The EU has has allocated €13.5 million, the Swiss government €2.5 million and the Serbian government €1.5 million for the programme.
The programme will be implemented by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The PROGRESS programme should enable Serbia’s underdeveloped municipalities to compete for larger funds later on.
This programme will deal with the improvement of infrastructure, municipality services to citizens and companies and promotion of one’s own development potential, Djelic explained.
Djelic announced that a law on public property should be adopted by the end of the year, which will give back the jurisdiction to municipalities and provinces over property in their territory.
Degert said that Europe has not forgotten the south of Serbia and that it will take care that the principles of the EU on balanced regional development are implemented in this region as well.
However, you have to know that the capacity of municipalities for drafting projects has to be improved, Degert reinforced.
Director of the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in Serbia Beatrice Meyer outlined that the Swiss government has supported the programme with €2.5 million as it is concerned with migration management.
PROGRESS Programme Manager Graham Tindal called on cities and municipalities to prepare appropriate projects of strategic importance and compete for funds.
The EU has has allocated €13.5 million, the Swiss government €2.5 million and the Serbian government €1.5 million for the programme.
The programme will be implemented by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
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