Serbia gets EUR 174 million from IPA funds - EU backs economic development

(Vincent Degert, Božidar Đelić, Miloš Simonović)

- Deputy Minister for European Integration Bozidar Djelic and Head of Delegation of the European Union with Serbia Vincent Degert signed a financial agreement yesterday (May 25, 2010) in Niš, which will allow the implementation of 26 projects valued at €174 million - it is announced on the website of the Government of Serbia.

The projects that have been approved under the signed agreement between Serbia and the European Commission, which refers to the National Programme for Serbia and the first IPA component – assistance in the transition and institution building for 2010, will directly benefit the economic growth of Serbia, European integration process and everyday living of Serbian citizens.

Djelic, expressing gratitude for the assistance, said that the grants will help solve some pressing problems for our citizens especially in southern and south-western Serbia, noting that €13.7 million was set aside for this purpose.

He said that these funds will finance and support programmes of local infrastructure – with €31 million, as well as the development of higher education, for which €25 million will be set aside.

Degert announced that €174 million in assistance will be supplemented with another €12 million from the cross-border programme and another €12 million from the programme for work with young people.

In his opinion, the signing of the agreement confirms the excellent cooperation of the EU with the Serbian government and all other representatives of the Serbian authorities.

Djelic and Degert said that the supervision of road construction works on Corridor 10 will cost €10 million, while €10.5 million will be directed to the programme for transition to digital broadcast signals.

Degert especially pointed to the development of infrastructure in the energy sector and construction of long-distance power line from Nis to the south of Serbia, as well as to the establishment of a market in accordance with the requests from the European Community Energy Agreement.

The Head of the EU Delegation also pointed to the significance of construction of road and railway infrastructure towards Greece and Bulgaria, while the representatives of the city of Nis introduced him to the plans for relocation of the railway hub, which will be partially financed from the funds approved under the today's agreement.

Degert and Nis Mayor Milos Simonovic signed a financial agreement in Niska Mlekara dairy to support dairy production.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Niška Mlekara Niš

Delegacija Evropske unije u Republici Srbiji Beograd

Grad Niš

South Cheese Cluster

Božidar Đelić

Vincent Degert

Miloš Simonović

IPA