Head of Cooperation of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia Holger Schroeder and Head of Operations III of the EU Delegation Richard Maša met today with leaders of Novi Pazar and Sjenica to talk about development projects funded by European Union, Swiss Government and the Government of the Republic of Serbia through European PROGRES programme.
Alongside Mayor of Novi Pazar Meho Mahmutovic visited one out of nine dams in the Raska basin, built within projects aimed at regulating river flow and flood prevention. The project, funded by European Union and Swiss Government through previous development programme, prevented flooding in that area in 2014, whereas damage caused by 2013 floods was estimated to some EUR1 million.
“These dams are rather simple constructions, but at the same time they bring immense benefits in flood prevention, meaning that citizens and local self-government no longer bear costs of damage. It is very important to continue the work on flood prevention, and European Union will continue to support Serbia in this regard in the future,” said Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation Holger Schroeder.
Together with President of Sjenica Municipality Hazba Mijovic, European officials also visited Regional Centre for Agricultural Development, whose construction was funded through EU PROGRES, with a goal of providing necessary expertise to over 200 agricultural households in Novi Pazar, Tutin and Sjenica and increasing their production and profits.
“Agriculture is pivotal for the development of the entire region of South West Serbia. European Union has supported establishing of Centre for Agricultural Development in Sjenica to facilitate provision of important services to farmers. Hence, it is very important to see all actors in the project meet the obligations they have assumed,” said Schroeder.
Activities of European PROGRES, a programme contributing to sustainable development of South and South West Serbia, are supported by EU and Swiss Government with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects aim to strengthen local administration, create better environment for development of infrastructure and economy as well as improve implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. Activities on the ground are implemented by UN Office for Project Services.
The programme includes following municipalities: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, and Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka i Knjazevac in South East of the country.
