European Commission
European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero on March 17 said that the EU had been considering ways to include the Western Balkans in the coronavirus countermeasures, adding that it was the time for solidarity rather than “unfounded accusations.”
“Close coordination and cooperation at the regional level also with the EU are crucial in response to this emergency. In this difficult time, solidarity is required. This is not the time for polemics or unfounded accusations,” Pisonero said in a statement.
She also said that the EU had been considering the best way to provide support in mitigating socio-economic consequences, including the possibility of redirecting financing from IPA funds and flexibility of rules on financial assistance.
“The EU is the largest donor, investor and trade partner of the Western Balkan region. Since 2014, EU has been annually allocating more than EUR1 billion to the Western Balkan nations. The EU has always supported Serbia in the times of trouble. For example, during and after the 2014 heavy floods, the EU disbursed EUR180 million to Serbia and more than EUR100 million during the migrant crisis in 2015,” Pisonero recalled.
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