Serbia asks European Commission to support budget stability with 120m EUR

- European Commission is considering Belgrade’s suggestion to set aside 120m EUR from the EU preadmission funds for preservation of macroeconomic stability and stability of the budget of the Government of Serbia – European Commissar Oli Rehn said in Brussels.

Following the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, Božidar Đelić, Rehn said that the support to Serbian budget would represent the new evidence of EU’s solidarity with Serbia.

Đelić previously handed the letter to the European Commission with the suggestion that 120m EUR should be set aside for Serbia from IPA programme for pre-admission aid to EU candidates and potential candidates for EU membership for stabilization of the budget and continuation of reforms.

Đelić said that he had asked the European Commission to support Serbia in the negotiations with private European banks about postponement of settlement of 5 billion EUR worth of debts of Serbian private companies in 2009, as well as to help Serbia cover its budget deficit.

- That would be an element of solidarity since all these banks achieved significant profits in Serbia. It is in mutual interest that the economic ability of Serbia be maintained – Đelić added.