Cross-border cooperation programme in Western Balkans shows how European integrations directly benefit citizens, improve quality of their lives and influence reconciliation and renewed cooperation, which is why these programmes remain among EU priorities, said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Michael Davenport.
Opening the 4th National Conference on Cross-border Cooperation, Davenport said that catastrophic May floods had shown that regional cooperation was not important only as a tool for encouraging dialogue and reconciliation, but was significant for providing response in emergency situations as well.
“Serbia is part of eight cross-border cooperation programmes, out of which three are managed by the EU Delegation to Serbia (programmes with Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro). I am pleased to say that in the past few years we have financed over 100 projects within six calls for applications in the aforementioned cross-border areas,” Davenport said.
According to him, despite the difficulties, there are many successful projects:
“Municipalities of Nova Varos and Uzice have introduced waste selection practice in schools and other public facilities, thus teaching children about the importance of environmental protection. In Sandzak, projects of cross-border cooperation have helped inclusion of children with disabilities and those from vulnerable social groups into society.”
“We have also trained Roma women to become hairdressers and beauticians and supported them to open their own businesses. Neonatology departments of health centres in Raska and Novi Pazar have obtained valuable equipment allowing medical staff to early diagnose prenatal diseases among pregnant women and fetuses,” Davenport added.
On the Lim river, emergency equipment was provided, including rescue boats, life vests, helmets, etc., and a joint rescue action simulation was organised.
“This latest project is an obvious example of cross-border cooperation enhancing, not only the lives of people, but a chance of rescuing those lives. Catastrophic floods that took place a few months ago, served us as reminder that regional cooperation does not contribute only to improving dialogue and reconciliation. It is also of great importance when it comes to making key strategic decisions and taking specific actions in emergency situations one country cannot deal with on its own,” Davenport said.
PROJECTS BEST CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION IN SERBIA FOR THE PERIOD 2012 – 2014
