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European Commission and Serbia to sign Agreement worth ˆ165 million
07.04.2008
The Head of the European Commission's Delegation to the Republic of Serbia Josep M. LLOVERAS and the Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Bozidar DJELIC
will sign a Financing Agreement on 4 April 2008 in Belgrade which will deliver ˆ165 million of non refundable assistance to Serbia
The funds from the 2007 Instrument for Pre Accession Assistance (IPA) will be used for reforms in the health sector, reduction of pollution from the Nikola Tesla power plant, measures to improve the safety of traffic on the Danube, strengthening of municipal administrations, balanced regional development, support to internally displaced persons and refugees, the establishment of the Ombudsman office and other projects.
The 2007 IPA Programme, among others includes the following key projects:
The Emissions Reduction from Nikola Tesla thermal power plant is a major project for Serbia in order to fulfil itsenvironmental obligations under the Energy Community Treaty. The project will lead to the reconstruction of two electrostatic precipitators (air filters) and provide the technical assistance and works to address this need.
The Health Sector Reform Emergency Medical Services will improve Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Serbia as part of the overall reform of the health system. The project will be conducted on a national level and it will include the purchase of emergency vehicles, training machines in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis and Kragujevac and training for the staff who will use the vehicles and the other equipment.
The Municipal Support Programme will support administrative reform at municipal level, improve local services to citizens through Citizens Assistance Centres and enhance local economic development by strengthening local organisations, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities and local and central government cooperation.
The Support to Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) project is aimed at the distribution of construction material sets, income generation actions and the purchase village houses and garden plots for persons that have not been involved so far in any type of assistance. The project will also provide free legal aid and assistance to individuals who wish to return to Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina..
The Regional Economic and Social Development Programme will increase the capacity of central government to design and implement an integrated regional development policy in Serbia. Regional Development Agencies, Municipalities and other local stakeholders will be supported to implement national regional policies and actions.
The Danube River Information System (RIS) will enhance the speed, the safety and the efficiency of traffic on the Danube by building a dedicated RIS (telematic information service). This consists of a major project for the country since Serbia has an extensive inland waterway network comprising of three international rivers and the Danube River with its 588 km passing through the country is considered to be one of the most important components of transport infrastructure in the entire region.
Since 2000, the European Union has through various non-returnable assistance programmes and credit lines provided over ˆ2 billion to Serbia and another ˆ1 billion has been tentatively earmarked for reform assistance for 2007 – 2011.
Source:
EC Delegation to Serbia
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