A meeting of the Special Working Group of the Government of Serbia tasked with the preparation of the EU Solidarity Fund application has been held today in Belgrade. The meeting was chaired by Minister of European Integration and National IPA Coordinator Jadranka Joksimović.
The meeting included the presentation of the first draft application that will describe the course of the epidemic, measures and activities that have been undertaken to stop the spread of the infection, as well as public expenditure incurred as the result of their implementation.
In case the European Commission grants support to the Republic of Serbia, these funds would cover a part of the overall costs Serbia has had over the period of 4 months, since it undertook the first activities aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
“The Republic of Serbia will submit its application for the Solidarity Fund to receive additional grant assistance for covering the costs incurred as the result of preventing the spread of COVID-19, protecting healthcare professionals, ensuring better conditions for treatment of patients and providing assistance to vulnerable groups,” said Joksimović, Minister of European Integration and Chair of the Special Working Group.
She added that “the possibility to apply for additional resources from this Fund is another proof of the EU’s solidarity with the citizens of Serbia and a very concrete benefit of the EU accession process”.
Tomorrow, Joksimović will send a letter to Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms Elisa Ferreira, who is also in charge of managing the Solidarity Fund. The letter will describe the situation and the measures that have been undertaken to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“By sending this letter, we are actually applying for the resources from this Fund intended to cover public expenditure, while we will submit our full application by 24 June,” stressed Joksimović.
The EU Solidarity Fund is a special instrument of EU support to member states and countries in the accession process, intended to support the countries’ efforts in preventing and tackling the consequence of natural disasters and endangerment of public health.
Following 24 June, the European Commission will start analysing and assessing the applications and will decide on the amount of assistance for each applicant country.
The Republic of Serbia will apply for these funds under the same conditions as the EU member states, most of which will also apply for resources from this Fund.
Serbia was the beneficiary of the Solidarity Fund in 2015, when it received EUR 60.2 million intended for flood relief.
Source: Tanjug
