Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath, paid his first official visit to Niš today.
During the visit, Ambassador von Beckerath met with the Mayor of Niš, Dragoslav Pavlović, as well as with Mladen Đurić, President of the Medijana City Municipality with whom he discussed socio-political context and challenges, EU funded projects and the role of the local self-government in the accession process. Ambassador highlighted in both meetings that ensuring space for inclusive dialogue among all societal actors is key for Serbia’s EU integration process.
Ambassador von Beckerath also meet with representatives of civil society organisations in Niš, with whom he discussed key areas of their work and challenges the organisations face. Ambassador stressed the importance of strong civil society as watchdogs of democracies
The visit included the opening of an air quality monitoring station and a visit to the construction site of the EU funded wastewater treatment plant.
These EU funded projects are aimed at improving environmental protection and quality of life at the local level.
Through the project “Strengthening Capacities in Air Quality Monitoring”, the European Union has allocated over EUR 3mil for the procurement of modern air quality monitoring equipment, enabling thus installation of new stations, replacement of outdated equipment, and upgrading of existing monitoring stations in 28 municipalities across Serbia, including Niš. This investment significantly strengthens the capacities of the Serbian Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to collect reliable and accurate data on air pollution and its impacts on public health.
“This is a concrete example of EU’s investment in quality of life and protection of Serbian citizens’ environment as air pollution remains one of the most pressing environmental and public health challenges in Serbia and across the Western Balkans. In Niš, we are proud to see the installation of new automatic analysers and samplers replacing the outdated equipment and enabling the collection of accurate and reliable data on air pollution, which should consequently allow for better-informed policy decisions and early warning on pollution coupled with decisive and coordinated actions ”, said Ambassador von Beckerath.
Further EU support to environmental protection is reflected also through the construction of the wastewater treatment plant in Niš. The plant, located in the Ciganski Ključ area,represents the largest European Union investment in environmental protection in Serbia to date. The project, exceeding EUR 85 million, includes the construction of a new treatment plant, upgrading of wastewater treatment at the Medijana facility, and the reconstruction and expansion of the sewerage network in the City of Niš. Completion of works is planned for the end of 2027, and the project will contribute to improved water quality, river protection, and Serbia’s alignment with EU standards in wastewater management.
“This is the largest EU investment in Serbia’s environmental sector to date. This plant will address about 4% of Serbia’s total wastewater treatment needs — a significant step forward for the citizens of Niš and the wider region. This project represents much more than an infrastructure investment — it is a symbol of our shared commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the benefit of all Serbian citizens.”, concluded Ambassador Andreas von Beckerath at the end of his visit to Niš.
EU remains committed to supporting local development, environmental protection, democratic governance, and civil society engagement across Serbia, including through close cooperation with cities and municipalities such as Niš.
