Davenport on Hahn's visit:Clear policy of support for Serbia

BELGRADE - Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport has commented on the upcoming visit to Belgrade by EU Commissioner on Regional Policy Johannes Hahn that the EU and the new commissioner have a clear policy of supporting Serbia on its road to the EU.

EU suuport is very strong and it is no coincidence that Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele picked Serbia as his last destination, while Hahn selected it as the first destination after taking over the post, Davenport told the daily Danas.

The support does not consist merely of words, but also funds. The EU is by far the largest donor in Serbia with EUR 2.6 billion in grants from 2000, which have gone into institutional reforms, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, environment protection, healthcare, education, development of local government and repair of the damage caused by this year's floods, he stated.

As much as 64 percent of Serbia's trade involves EU countries, and the percentage of foreign investments coming to Serbia from the EU is the same. The situation with loans to the Serbian government is the same, says Davenport, who believes Hahn's visit will be an opportunity to once again encourage Serbia in its EU integration and reform efforts. Hahn is well acquainted with the situation in Serbia, he added.

As regional development commissioner, Hahn promoted the Danube strategy, which Serbia is a member of, in Golubac, eastern Serbia, and visited the country during the floods in May, announcing aid from the European Solidarity Fund, which is now known to be over EUR 60 million.

This trend of cooperation continues, along with financial support, while the partnership between Serbia and the EU improves, Davenport points out, adding that he hopes...