Barroso: EU to continue to assist post-flood reconstruction

OBRENOVAC - The European Union will continue to assist Serbia in remedying the consequences of the May floods because solidarity is the essence of Europe, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said in Obrenovac on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after visiting a local primary school that is under reconstruction, Barroso said that 22 EU member-states have provided aid to Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the wake of the recent floods and that it is the largest such operation in Europe.

We immediately secured EUR 3 million worth of aid, while the European Commission last Monday also decided to redirect EUR 30 million from IPA funds to rehabilitation efforts, Barroso said.

The money will be used to fund short-term reconstruction in Serbia, and on-site works may start in the coming days, the European Commission president added.
Long-term support is significant, too, and the European Commission, in collaboration with France and Slovenia, will organise a donor conference in Brussels on July 16 as an opportunity for the international community to once again help Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, he said.

Barroso offered condolences to the families of the flood victims, praising the Serbian government, the civil sector, citizens, as well as organisations from neighbouring countries, for their quick interventions aimed at providing assistance to the flood-hit population...........http://www.tanjug.rs/news/135523/barroso--eu-to-continue-to-assist-post-flood-reconstruction.htm
29/6/14
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• Remarks by President Barroso following his meeting with Prime minister of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić

Press conference

Belgrade, 29 June 2014:

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be back in Serbia, a country which so clearly belongs to our European family. I have just met with Prime Minister Vučić and I look forward to continuing our discussions over lunch with other Government members.

I have congratulated the Prime Minister on his recent appointment and conveyed to him my high expectations regarding the future course of action of his Government.

I´d like to thank you, Prime Minister, for your kind words regarding my commitment to the accession process of Serbia and for the work of the European Commission over the past years.

It is true that we are strong alliance for the strategic goal that is accession of Serbia to the EU.

My visit comes exactly one year after the decision of the European Council to follow the recommendation of the European Commission to open accession negotiations with Serbia".........................http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-514_en.htm?locale=en

29/6/14

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Related:

• EU assists in response to floods in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Provision of assistance the flood victims of Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. (Hellenic MFA)

• Russian Orthodox church helps flood victims in Serbia

• Aleksandar Vučić, PM: Fewer flood victims than first thought. - "Assistance in manpower" was no longer needed.