Application for EU money in August, "economy to get worse"

Application for EU money in August, "economy to get worse"

BELGRADE -- Serbia's application for resources from the EU Solidarity Fund should be submitted by the beginning of August, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

After this, the Council and the European Parliament will start the process for granting aid, it was said at Monday’s meeting of Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić with Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport and ambassadors of EU member states.

Serbia will seek to accurately assess the extent of damages caused by the massive flooding, since the amount of funds that can be obtained from the Solidarity Fund will depend on that, the ministry stated.

The participants in the meeting agreed that the economic situation in Serbia and in the region is quite complex and after the floods, it may deteriorate even further.

It was proposed that the European Union considers extending a more significant economic, financial and political support for the region, the statement said.

Dačić thanked for the aid the European Union has given Serbia in this time of need, adding that as a candidate for membership of the European Union, Serbia is entitled to apply for funds from the EU Solidarity Fund under the same conditions as any of the member states.

He said that Serbia’s full membership of the European Union is the top priority for the Serbian government.

Serbia is committed to implementing reforms in all fields, particularly in the area of the rule of law, internal affairs, protection of human rights and the rights of minorities, he said.

“Opening negotiations on specific chapters as soon as possible would give a new momentum to...