European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic signed in Brussels a portion of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for 2017 valued at over €97 million.
The money will be used for energy and environmental protection, as well as for participation in various EU programs (Cosme, Horizon 2020, Erasmus+), Joksimovic and Hahn explained.
During the signature, Minister Joksimovic stressed that the package is aimed at important development projects and sustainable development of Serbia.
“The most important part of this package, worth €49.6 million, is intended for the gas interconnector between Serbia and Bulgaria. That is one of the most important projects that will contribute to Serbia’s energy diversification, supply stability and strengthening of the gas infrastructure. That is of utmost importance for citizens of Serbia,” said Minister Joksimovic.
The rest of the money, some € 28 million intended for projects in the field of the environment, will be used for wastewater management in Brus and Blace, a wastewater filtration system in Kraljevo, as well as numerous projects concerning the environment (waste separation) in 19 municipalities in Serbia.
“Those are extremely important issues that show the citizens what the process of European integration is really about and why it is the best support for our development process,” said Joksimovic.
She said that she hopes Serbia’s EU path will be stable in the following years and bring benefits to citizens, reads a news article on the website of the Ministry of European Integration.
