The European Union’s assistance to Serbia in the fight against the coronavirus was visible and valuable, as was the assistance of China, Russia, Norway and many other countries, Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated today, assessing that in times of a pandemic there is no place for “geopolitical games of power”, but that, in such circumstances, assistance is accepted but also sent to others.
Joksimović has stated that the question of Austrian media on whether the humanitarian aid Austria has delivered today for mitigating the effects of the coronavirus crisis will be “equally dear” to Serbia is “obsolete”, assessing that everyone has demonstrated solidarity during the pandemic.
The Minister has conveyed that the EU remains a development, strategic and continuous partner to Serbia, adding that the EU’s assistance is not ad hoc but continuous, and that Serbia also appreciates the assistance other countries have sent during the crisis.
“I think that the visibility of the EU and its assistance was high, while the assistance of other partners was important as well. Our citizens know well that we received help both from the EU and from China, Russia, Norway and many other countries,” Joksimović told the journalists after the ceremony organised on the occasion of Austria delivering humanitarian aid to Serbia.
She has recalled that Serbia has helped countries in the region, as well as in the EU.
“At the initiative of President Aleksandar Vučić, at the peak of the pandemic, I personally flew to Rome to deliver assistance to Italy, to which we provided 5 million masks and other protective equipment,” said Joksimović.
Source: Tanjug
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
