Joksimovic appeals to EC to allow IPA funds to be spent on suppression of coronavirus in Serbia

Photo: Tanjug/Rade Prelic

Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic today sent an official letter to EU Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Oliver Varhelyi, requesting that the European Union enable the transfer of unspent funds from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) towards the measures to prevent and combat the effects of the coronavirus epidemic in the Republic of Serbia.

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These funds, the amount of which would be specified in agreement with the European Commission (EC), would be earmarked to support national institutions and bodies engaged in combating the spread of the epidemic and effectively respond to its consequences on the citizens and society of Serbia, stressed Joksimovic.

The letter outlines the basic measures and activities Serbia is taking to prevent the virus from spreading further, to provide adequate care to all infected citizens and especially to the elderly, and to remediate and combat the effects of the epidemic as much as possible.

Joksimovic said that the government of Serbia is actively working on using all available financial and other resources and capacities.

She stressed that European countries - members, candidates and potential candidates, will be able to respond to this global challenge only by working together and demonstrating true European solidarity.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)