Serbia "step away" from using EU funds for agriculture

Serbia "step away" from using EU funds for agriculture

BRUSSELS -- Serbia is a step away from the possibility of using the EU agriculture and rural development funds which in the first phase amount to EUR 11mn annually.

This is according to Serbia's chief negotiator with the EU Tanja Miščević, who spoke on Monday.

In the first phase, the funds amount to EUR 11 million on an annual level, which is a preparation for using structural funds and funds from the Common Agricultural Policy, which are much bigger and more significant, Miščević told reporters ahead of a conference titled "Serbia's Agrarian Policy" in Belgrade.

Speaking about the screening in the field of agriculture, from which she just returned, Miščević said that the talks with the EU addressed food safety standards, which are numerous and require much investment, reference labs and control of everything that has been set by EU standards.

During the screening, officials did an analytical overview of the development of villages and rural areas, which is the first phase of Chapter 11 (Agriculture and Rural Development), Miščević said.

Miščević noted that preparatory meetings for the screening in the field of education and culture are under way, and that the screening is also about to begin concerning the free movement of workforce.