European Union (Shutterstock)
Having repurposed bilateral financial aid for the Western Balkans, the European Union (EU) has activated a package worth over EUR410 million to support the region fighting the spread of coronavirus, the European Commission reported on March 30.
Out of the sum total, EUR38 million will cover emergency needs - medical supplies and protection gear - while the rest will be used to provide short-term support to the social and economic development of the region. The EC will also provide unhindered inflow of basic goods by expanding the "green corridors" to the region.
The EU will use EUR15 million to cater for emergency health-care needs in Serbia, Bosnia will receive 73.5 million, Kosovo 63 million, North Macedonia 62 million, Montenegro 50 million, Albania 46.7 million, the EU Info Center reported on March 30.
The EU's previous actions to help the region fight COVID-19 include two cargo planes bringing 130 tons of medical supplies to Serbia, 600 aid package for Roma and Egyptian families in Montenegro, aware-raising campaigns during the pandemic. New relief measures for the Western Balkans are expected in the coming days.
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