Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret previously delivered to Joksimovic the Agreement, which had been signed by European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira on behalf of the EU.
The Agreement provides for the settlement of part of the costs incurred during the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joksimovic underlined that the EU’s aid provided by the Agreement signed today is another concrete proof of the long-term support to Serbia in the time of crisis.
She pointed out that the sum allocated to Serbia is bigger than those allocated to some Member States from the same fund.
The Minister recalled that this is the second time that Serbia received funds from the EU Solidarity Fund.
Ambassador Giaufret said that this non-repayable aid is one more expression of the Union’s dedication to support to Serbia in the fight against the pandemic.
The EU had stood side by side with Serbia since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We financed cargo flights for the transport of medical materials, health workers and significantly helped Serbia in the purchase of vaccines. Serbia received ambulances and protective masks. In addition, over the past 20 years the EU has invested over €516 million in the health sector of Serbia. The EU financed many hospitals across the country, the Ambassador said.
The Ministry of European Integration recalls that, on the basis of a decision of the European Commission from 2021, €530 million were set aside from the EU Solidarity Fund for the needs of the fight against COVID-19 for 17 Member States and three candidate countries.