Mihajlovic, Deniau discuss French reconstruction assistance

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Zorana Mihajlovic met with French Ambassador to Serbia Francois-Xavier Deniau on Tuesday to discuss cooperation between the two countries in the areas of infrastructure and transport, as well as activities to be undertaken in reconstruction efforts in flood-hit regions in Serbia.

Mihajlovic briefed the French ambassador on the preliminary estimates of the immediate damage reported by public companies and local self-government authorities, which totals around EUR 600 million, and the role of the newly-established Office for reconstruction and aid for flood-hit regions, which will be in charge of the process at operative level, said a statement published on the website of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

Mihajlovic said that building new homes by the autumn for families that have lost their houses is a priority for the government, while Deniau offered France's assistance in the form of analyses that would help Serbia complete the job quickly and with good quality.

Also discussed in the meeting was the pace of works on Corridor 11, possibilities of having a section of the motorway from Belgrade to the Montenegrin border constructed under concession agreements, as well as plans to build a road from Belgrade to Zrenjanin.

French companies have significant experience in the technical, legal and financial aspects of carrying out concession projects and could also be interested in certain projects in Serbia, Deniau said.

Photo Tanjug/Z. Zestic (illustration)