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Of the nine billion euros that will be difficult for the European Union’s economic and investment plan (PIE) for the Western Balkans, at least around 2.5 billion could go to projects in Serbia, as “Blic” unofficially discovered. This is a rough evaluation of our sources, taking into account previous cooperation and the characteristics of our country.
This support package for the region’s recovery and economic rapprochement with the EU will be presented at the end of this week and is part of the new Instrument for the Promotion of Pre-accession (IPA3), for a total value of 14.5 billion euros during the next seven years for candidate countries to join the EU. We tried to find out from EU officials how much Serbia can expect, but European Commission spokeswoman Ana Pisonero decided to keep us in suspense.
– The plan is still being prepared. I’m afraid you will have to have a little more patience until it is adopted – Pisonero said to “Blic”.
The ambassador and head of the delegation of the European Union in Serbia, Sam Fabrizi, told “Blic” that the new plan will allow the connection of the region and the acceleration of reforms.
– The work of the economic-investor plan is in the final phase and will be adopted soon. It will provide the Western Balkans with the financial means to connect the region and accelerate reforms that will make the region an attractive destination for investment and the economy. It will bring the markets of the Western Balkans and the EU closer together. It will be in line with the objectives of the European recovery plans: more connected, greener and more digital, Fabrizi noted.
Diplomatic sources of “Blic” indicate that it is ungrateful to talk about numbers, but that it depends mainly on Serbia if it will have projects that can use these funds because the money will be allocated by projects, not by countries.
– Taking into account the previous IPA funds and their redistribution, it is expected that most of the financial support for projects will come from Serbia. This has been the case so far, and it is mentioned that it could be around 2.5 billion euros. That is a rough estimate, it sounds logical, considering the previous funds and projects of Serbia – says the source of “Blic”.
The economic-investment plan will include 18 projects, which will be mainly regional in nature. As announced, the backbone of the plan will be connectivity, especially in transport and energy, green transition, especially decarbonization of energy production, digital transformation, including access to broadband internet.
EU Minister Jadranka Joksimović also points this out for “Blic,” who says they worked on prioritizing projects over the summer.
– At the end of July, we send projects in the field of transport, energy, digital infrastructure, as well as environmental protection, employment. The objective of the EIP is to connect the region in terms of transport, energy and digital terms, and especially environmental projects. The EC is likely to include from all Western Balkan partners those projects that have this strong connecting component. Of course, there are also projects to promote employment, entrepreneurship in terms of increasing competitiveness. Otherwise, most of the grants will be taken from the IPA 3 perspective, and the rest will be favorable loans from international financial institutions, EIB, EBRD. We also submit project proposals for IPA 2021 and 2022 on time, in order to provide the remaining IPA 3 grants for major national projects, Joksimović notes.
It is not advisable to talk about the amounts and projects accepted, until the exact amount of the EIP for the Western Balkans is adopted.
– Commissioner Varhelji would then come and present in detail all the elements, amounts and projects supported. I can tell you that Serbia is ready to get into this business, all summer all together, all the ministries and the office of the president and the office of the prime minister and I, as NIPAK (national coordinator of the IPA) work on the preparation and programming, and nominated numerous important projects for Serbia. and the region, ”he said.
The director of the Institute of European Affairs, Naim Leo Besiri, also points out for “Blic” that everything depends more on Serbia.
– Serbia can expect most of the investment plan directly, but it depends mainly on our public administration if there are enough people and knowledge to use the full potential – concludes Besiri.
Follow a report
In addition to the EIP, Serbia awaits a report from the European Commission on progress towards the EU. Praise is expected for the progress in dialogue with Pristina, but also at the expense of economic policy, despite the crisis caused by the corona virus. However, the stone in the shoe will remain chapters 23 and 24, which refer to the rule of law.
VIDEO: Aleksandar Vučić and Sam Fabrizi
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