State Secretary in the Ministry of European Integration of the Government of Serbia Mira Radenović Bojić participated today in the final conference of the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia–Serbia 2014–2020, held in Osijek, alongside a representative of the Republic of Croatia and programming area beneficiaries. The event presented the results achieved during this financial perspective, with particular attention given to new funding opportunities through the second call for project proposals under the Interreg VI-A IPA Programme Croatia–Serbia 2021–2027.
At the gathering, Mira Radenović Bojić stated that only strong cooperation could regionally connect the two countries and lead them forward toward ambitious and high-quality regional development.
“What is important about this event is the announcement of a new beginning of interregional cooperation for the 2021–2027 period with an increased budget, which means greater opportunities for interregional collaboration that should truly strengthen our regional ties,” the State Secretary said.
She specifically emphasised that the programme had provided an opportunity to implement projects through interregional cooperation focused on energy efficiency and enhancing resilience during climate change, which affects us all, particularly regarding the region in question. She expressed confidence that a rapid and effective exchange of good experiences would help overcome obstacles as efficiently as possible and with minimal losses.
“I am confident that the existing partnerships between our institutions will continue to contribute to balanced and sustainable regional development and that cross-border cooperation will certainly address the challenges I previously mentioned,” said Mira Radenović Bojić, emphasising that Serbia believed in a shared European future, not only for Serbia but also for the entire Western Balkans region.
“We believe that the positive results from this programme indicate the path for future cooperation, and we hope that the European Union as a whole, as well as Croatia as an EU Member State, will recognise this,” concluded the State Secretary in the Ministry of European Integration.
The Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia–Serbia 2014–2020, approved by the European Commission on 24 August 2015, with a total EU budget of EUR 34,293,188, continued the successful cooperation from the previous financial period (2007–2013). During this programming period, 48 projects were contracted with as many as 179 project partners.
