EU PROGRESS IN MEDVEDJA

2. November 2012.

Source: Jugpress / Medvedja - At the meeting of the Steering Committee of the EU PROGRESS, which took place in Medvedja yesterday, a total of over 200,000 euros was approved for new projects, which are aimed at further development of the Pcinj, Jablanica and Toplica Districts, as well as of the southwestern Serbia.

The Head of Operations of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Mr. Martin Kern, said that “The European Union remains committed to the development of the southern and southwestern Serbia.”

“We are considering the results that have already been achieved and the activities that have been successful, so that we could see if there is any room for the EU’s continued support through a new program, “Mr. Kern said.

The Deputy Director of the Serbian Government’s Office for European Integration and Chairman of the Steering Committee of the EU’s PROGRESS, Mr. Ognjen Miric, said at the meeting that “we can already see the results of our two-year work: developed project documentation, the opening of new working places, renovated schools and kindergartens and better municipal services. These are just some of the projects that contribute to the development of the southern and southwestern Serbia, which are implemented as part of the European Partnership with Municipalities – EU PROGRESS, with the support of the European Union and the Government of Switzerland. The fact that the Serbian government funds the program with nearly double more funds from the planned 1.5 million euros clearly shows the commitment to development, “Mr. Miric said.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Serbian Government’s Office for European Integration and the relevant ministries, the 25 municipalities participating in the implementation of the EU PROGRES, representatives of development agencies and projects, civil society and donors, who include representatives of the European Union and the Government of Switzerland.

“Shortly before the meeting, the Steering Committee members visited the “Termovent” factory in Medvedja, the reconstruction of which is supported by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland, through the EU PROGRESS, with 85,500 euros, while the municipal share in the project is 9,950 euros.

The Slovenian Government, through the Center for International Cooperation and Development, invested 830,950 euros in the purchase of machinery for the manufacturing of pellets. Renovation of the factory will be completed in mid-November.

“This project will employ 50 workers. Although this is a small project, it’s the right one for our municipality and such initiatives should be given a chance, “said Mr. Slobodan Draskovic, the President of the municipality of Medvedja.

The EU PROGRESS is aimed at supporting the development of 25 municipalities in the southern and southwestern Serbia. The European Union will allocate 14.1 million euros for the program, the Swiss Government 2.5 million euros, while the Government of the Republic of Serbia participates in the project with 1.5 million euros.