Botanical Garden “Jevremovac” in Belgrade, renovated thanks to European Union funds worth EUR1,4 million, was officially opened in the presence of Minister of Education Srdjan Verbic and Head of the EU Delegation Michael Davenport.
Renovated facilities of the Botanical Garden in Belgrade are home to over 1.500 herbaceous plants and some 350 species of trees, bushes and exotic plants.
“I am particularly pleased by the fact that we have successfully maintained the authenticity of large greenhouse during renovation. The greenhouse was bought in 19 century in Dresden, Germany and designed in Victorian fashion. This way, we have managed to maintain the spirit of Victorian culture as part of the European cultural heritage in Serbia, apart from renovating the greenhouse, developing Botanical Garden and contributing to Serbian botany and science,” said Davenport.
European Union have invested EUR30 million in 2-year project aimed at supporting higher education in Serbia – High Education Teaching Infrastructure Project – EU HETIP – which encompasses reconstruction and renovation of faculties and delivery of sophisticated and state of the art teaching equipment and furniture to 27 faculties at all five public Universities.
Davenport said that since the year 2000, the EU donated EUR63 million in order to support educational system in Serbia.
“Through many EU projects, we have supported renovation of educational institutions, purchase of modern equipment, improvement of curricula and adoption of new laws, at preschool, secondary and higher education level. EU’s goal is to support Serbia in improving the overall education system in line with Serbian educational strategy, EU standards and global tendencies,” Davenport said.
He added that EU standards, however, were not a goal in itself: “the goal is to have as many young, educated people as possible, who will contribute to economic and scientific prosperity in Serbia. Reconstruction of Botanical Garden facilities is part of this plan: I truly believe that it will provide better working conditions for students and professors, as well as open new perspectives for biologists and researchers”.
At the end of the ceremony in Botanical Garden, Minister of Education Srdjan Verbic and ambassador Davenport planted Pancic’s spruce as a symbol of friendship.
