Serbia joins EU Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme

The Agreement signed by the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Sem Fabrizi and the Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Zoran Djordjevic grants Serbia access to the EUR440 million-worth budget designated for projects in the areas dealt with by the European Union’s Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme (REC).

Fabrizi said that Serbia was the first Western Balkans country to join the programme which is funded by the European Commission by 2020. He underlined the project’s importance for Serbia’s EU accession process as it covered the obligations pertaining to chapters 23 and 24. “The Programme has nine specific objectives, some of which are promotion of non-discrimination, combatting racism, xenophobia and homophobia and other forms of discrimination, promotion of rights of persons with disabilities and gender equality, and prevention of violence against children, women and other vulnerable groups,” said Fabrizi.

The Programme is aimed at public authorities, academia and CSOs engaged in promotion and protection of rights which ensure equality among citizens, with a total budget of around EUR440 million for the period 2014-2020.

Following the signature of the Agreement at the Palace of Serbia, Djordjevic said that the Ministry would work together with NGOs and local self-governments to promote human rights and equality, Roma inclusion and combat violence and other forms of discrimination. “The Ministry will secure a 20 per cent share and apply for the call together with them,” Djordjevic said, noting that chapters 2 and 19 fall under jurisdiction of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs. “This way,” he said, “Serbia will become part of the EU even though it is not an EU member.” He also pointed to cooperation established with the EU Delegation in dealing with the migrant crisis and noted that Serbia had implemented all measures to take appropriate care of minors, making the most of EU funding. When it comes to this matter, he said, Serbia proves it is on par with other EU Member States.