EU to give Serbia EUR 80 million in grants

EU to give Serbia EUR 80 million in grants

The head of the EU delegation noted that everything was ready to start rehabilitation works and the first contract had already been signed.

We are working in three areas, namely the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure at the level of municipalities, agriculture and rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses, Davenport said.

Serbia can use the EUR 30 million right away, and will be able to use the Solidarity Fund just like any of the EU member states, and the sum that will be made available to the country will be known after the total economic impact of the May floods is assessed, he said.

The head of the EU delegation said that spending would have to be transparent and monitored.

In addition to the non-refundable aid, Serbia also received favorable loan offers, including Japan offering a loan with a 0.01 percent interest rate and maturity period of 40 years.

I think that the Japanese offer is a great proof of the success of the donor conference. Some EU countries and institutions have also offered grants - the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the European Investment Bank, Davenport said, stressing that their realization depends on Serbia's institutions.