EU: Serbia can count on aid worth EUR 1 bln

BRUSSELS - Serbia can count on EUR 1 billion worth of aid from the European Union Solidarity Fund in dealing with the long-term consequences of the catastrophic floods, Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response, said on Monday.

Up to EUR 1 billion from the EU Solidarity Fund is available to Serbia as an EU membership candidate, the Commissioner said at a press conference in Brussels.

Set up in the wake of the massive floods that hit central Europe in the past decade, the fund provides aid in case flood damage exceeds 0.64 percent of the afflicted country's GDP.

Besides, Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele is looking for a way for additional funds to be provided from IPA funds, she said.

Access to funds is more complicated for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has not been granted candidate status, Georgieva said.

We reacted as soon as we received the requests from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, she said, adding that high-capacity pumps, helicopters and boats were sent immediately, and that a total of 450 volunteers from EU member states have also been sent in the meantime.

That is more than Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina had asked for, but we stepped up the assistance due to the dramatic situation, she said.

Georgieva said that Serbia can also count on bilateral aid from EU member states.

Photo Tanjug, S. Radovanovic (illustration)