Agreement signed on EU's aid to Serbia in amount of 144m EUR

(Milan Parivodić)

The Minister of International Economic Relations, Milan Parivodić, and the Head of the delegation of European Commission in Serbia, Žozep Ljoveras, have signed the financial agreement CARDS 2006, according to which Serbia will receive non-refundable aid in amount of 144m EUR.

The aid is intended for democratic stabilization - 11.5m EUR, further reform of the state administration and construction of institutions - 58.3m EUR, economic and social development - 69.5m EUR, whereas the remaining 7.7m EUR will be set aside for the technical assistance and as a program reserve.

Minister Parivodić explained that it was the last installment in scope of CARDS program, but he added that EU continued to provide financial support through pre-admission instruments of EU (IPA program).

In scope of CARDS program, Serbia has received 1,124 billion EUR so far. Part of that means was spent on humanitarian aid to the population, prevention of collapse of the energy system and supply of drugs to the hospitals.