Austrian Developmental Agency Hands Aid to Serbia

Austria's development agency delegation, Ivica Dacic

Austrian federal minister for Europe, integration and foreign affairs Alexander Schallenberg and minister for the EU and constitution Karoline Edtstadler presented on May 28 an aid package from Austria's development agency to Serbia at a Serbian Red Cross warehouse in Zemun in a ceremony attended by Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic and Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic.

Schallenberg said that Serbia's and Austria's friendship had shown itself not just in good times but also in times of crisis. "Solidarity for us represents investing in a joint future. In that sense not just Austria but the entire EU have invested EUR3.3 billion in aid for the entire Western Balkans," he said.

Karoline Edtstadler also stressed that Austria had traditionally close ties with all of the Western Balkan countries and that it was important  that Austria and the EU be included in the recovery process after the pandemic. "Opening a chapter [in negotiations] with North Macedonia and Albania should be a fresh impetus to Serbia in its negotiations," she said.

Dacic stressed that Austria was a very important partner and one of the biggest investors in Serbia. "It is stupidity and lies that Serbia is turning to China. China has provided aid to over 100 countries, and we received aid from China when we couldn't find it  anywhere else. Serbia's road is clear, and that is the EU, while China is a friend, as many other countries are," Dacic said.