EU ambassadors in Serbia visit Niš

The EU is paying special attention to regions lagging behind in development, in those countries that aspire to become members, it was heard in Niš today.

Izvor: B92

Tuesday, 18.11.2008.

20:49

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The EU is paying special attention to regions lagging behind in development, in those countries that aspire to become members, it was heard in Nis today. Ambassadors from 22 EU countries posted in Belgrade were in this southern Serbian city on Tuesday, where they met with the city officials, hoping to hear about the problems of the region, and required assistance to this part of the country. EU ambassadors in Serbia visit Nis Poor infrastructure, falling behind in education and healthcare sectors, favorable geographical position, huge tourist potential, were all issues mentioned during the meeting. "I informed them about the catastrophic consequences of the centralization of Serbia, and asked for their support for better legislation on regional development to be passed, from which local governments would stand to benefit the most. That would contribute to a greater decentralization of Serbia," Nis Mayor Milos Simonovic told reporters. The ambassadors said that much remains to be done in order to improve the economic and social conditions in southeastern Serbia, and that the location of the city, on the crossroads of two European corridors, must be utilized. "Regions feel the most benefit from European integrations. I have seen in it my own country. I come from Spain and speaking from experience I can tell you that European integrations were not felt so much in Madrid and the big cities, but mostly in the small provincial towns across the country," Josep Lloveras, who heads the EC delegation in Belgrade, hold his hosts. "I believe that Nis and southeastern Serbia, which is among the poorest regions in the country, must benefit from European integrations," Lloveras also said. "European funds are aimed, above all, at diminishing the differences in the development of the regions. I am certain that this will happen in Serbia, just as it happened in Spain, in the Czech Republic, and many other countries," Czech Ambassador Hana Hubackova said. "I'm sure there are shortcomings just like anywhere else, but being an EU member and being able to use pre-accession funds will help overcome the challenges," she added. The region already benefited from several EU-financed projects, including the EUR 5mn-worth program for medical waste management. In the future, the region can expect more assistance, but that greatly depends on the capability of local self-governments to use the possibilities given to them, B92's reporter in Nis says.

EU ambassadors in Serbia visit Niš

Poor infrastructure, falling behind in education and healthcare sectors, favorable geographical position, huge tourist potential, were all issues mentioned during the meeting.

"I informed them about the catastrophic consequences of the centralization of Serbia, and asked for their support for better legislation on regional development to be passed, from which local governments would stand to benefit the most. That would contribute to a greater decentralization of Serbia," Niš Mayor Miloš Simonović told reporters.

The ambassadors said that much remains to be done in order to improve the economic and social conditions in southeastern Serbia, and that the location of the city, on the crossroads of two European corridors, must be utilized.

"Regions feel the most benefit from European integrations. I have seen in it my own country. I come from Spain and speaking from experience I can tell you that European integrations were not felt so much in Madrid and the big cities, but mostly in the small provincial towns across the country," Josep Lloveras, who heads the EC delegation in Belgrade, hold his hosts.

"I believe that Niš and southeastern Serbia, which is among the poorest regions in the country, must benefit from European integrations," Lloveras also said.

"European funds are aimed, above all, at diminishing the differences in the development of the regions. I am certain that this will happen in Serbia, just as it happened in Spain, in the Czech Republic, and many other countries," Czech Ambassador Hana Hubačkova said.

"I'm sure there are shortcomings just like anywhere else, but being an EU member and being able to use pre-accession funds will help overcome the challenges," she added.

The region already benefited from several EU-financed projects, including the EUR 5mn-worth program for medical waste management.

In the future, the region can expect more assistance, but that greatly depends on the capability of local self-governments to use the possibilities given to them, B92's reporter in Niš says.

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