Vucic, Varhelyi Discuss Coronavirus Containment, EU’s Aid to Serbia

Aleksandar Vucic (President's office/Dimitrije Goll)

In a phone talk on March 31, President Aleksandar Vucic and EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi discussed cooperation on coronavirus containment and EU’s assistance to Serbia and the Western Balkans in dealing with this challenge.

Varhelyi told Vucic that he had instructed relevant services to make up to EUR15 million available to Serbia for emergencies, which would be funded from the ongoing contracts with UNOPS and UNDP under the EU integration support programs, according to a release from Vucic’s office.

The EU commissioner also said he requested consideration be given to allowing Serbia access to the remaining EUR20.8 million under EU integration program for short-term needs, and that, on the Serbian government’s approval, up to EUR57.6 million initially set aside for other projects for short-term and long-term needs be redirected for the ongoing emergencies.

Vucic said Serbia was grateful on the so far assistance provided by the EU in suppressing the virus through funds made available for emergency procurement of medical equipment and cargo flights for the delivery of supplies. Vucic added he was also counting in EU’s support in mitigating economic consequences of the disease.