U.S. Earmarks USD22 Million Aid for Serbia

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey, Serbian Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic and the acting director of the USAID Mission in Serbia, Shanley Pinchotti(BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

Serbian Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic and the acting director of the USAID Mission in Serbia, Shanley Pinchotti, signed in Belgrade on April 12 an extension of the two countries' development partnership.

The two officials signed amendments to the existing agreements on Serbia-U.S. partnership. The U.S. has earmarked an additional USD22 million for USAID to work with the Serbian government on reforms.

The funds have been designated for aiding the Serbian economy's competitiveness, improving the administration's efficiency in providing services to citizens, enhancing the media environment, helping the civil society, improving energy security, and providing support in the fight against COVID-19.

U.S. Ambassador to Serbia Anthony Godfrey, who attended the signing, said that since 2001 much had been done to improve Serbia's economic development. Together with the Serbian government, the U.S. had considered ideas, made plans and carried out reforms important for the democratic and economic development of Serbia, said Godfrey. He added that the partnership between the two countries was strong and that he could promise it would continue.