EU partnership with Serbia

EU best partner and biggest donor for 20 years – and in the front line against COVID-19

To modernize the country in normal times or to face crisis in times of emergency, Team Europe – the European Union, the EU Member States and the EU Financial institutions such as the European Investment Fund - is the number one partner for Serbia.

Overall, the European Union is by far the biggest investor, biggest trade partner and biggest donor to Serbia:

While the European Union is generally the biggest provider of assistance in the world, Serbia itself is actually in the top 3 countries which receive most financial assistance from the EU. This budget is implemented in full transparency and can all be monitored on the European Union websites.

EU financial assistance and programs are implemented jointly with Serbia. Along well-defined priorities, both EU and Serbia decide where and how to put them, so as to make Serbia a more prosperous, sustainable, fair secure and democratic, and prepared to join the Union.

Key sectors of financial support are Education, Agriculture, local development, Research and Innovation, Environment, Transport, Energy, Public Administration, Justice and Rule of Law, but also Health.

20 years of EU assistance in the health sector in Serbia

Only in the health sector, what the EU has done with Serbia in the last 20 years over the last few years is fundamental.

The EU donated above 200 million euros and loaned 250 million others to make the health system in Serbia stronger. This is the basis which is going to help Serbia overcome the COVID-19 virus.

The EU has equipped hospitals, laboratories, institutes of public health and blood transfusion centres and provided 252 emergency medical vehicles for health centres around Serbia, of which 122 have been delivered with ventilators, which is crucial to fight COVID-19. Only for that project, the EU donated 8.7 million euros.

More globally, the EU supported Serbia’s whole healthcare network: through the European Investment Bank – the EU Bank – funds in the amount of 250 million euros were used for the reconstruction and construction of 20 large hospitals across Serbia, including the Torlak Institute, which is crucial in the fight against the virus Corona.

Only last year, the construction of a new building and the renovation and expansion of Clinical Center Niš has been completed. That includes work on existing facilities, new blocks, courtyards and parking spaces. A total of 45,000m2 were reconstructed, and this significant regional health centre received 600 hospital beds, of which 38 were for intensive care and 42 for semi-intensive care. Today, 2.5 million Serbian citizens can receive the highest quality medical service in this facility, which also involves complex surgical procedures because it has 17 state-of-the-art operating rooms. The EIB financed the construction of 34 million euros, while the budget of the Republic of Serbia allocated 16 million euros for the procurement of equipment.

Thanks to the assistance of the EU, millions of Serbian citizens have better and more modern medical care, in other cities, too.

The EU made possible the use of new modern surgical operating rooms, emergency centres, a large number of hospital beds, new ambulances and hospital kitchen and hygiene equipment purchased for centres in Kikinda, Pancevo, Sombor, Smederevo, Sremska Mitrovica, Zajecar, Cacak, Krusevac, Pirot and Belgrade.

Smaller communities also benefitted from EU assistance to develop their health systems, for example:

The EU has helped to establish a National Cancer Screening Programme in the Republic of Serbia, with the donation of over 6.6 million euros so far.

Purchasing supplies of essential medicines and other medical supplies to public pharmacies and health institutions in Serbia should not be forgotten, considering EU donation over 43 million Euros.

The EU has provided much needed support to Serbian laboratories, with modern equipment and supplies in total value of 4.9 million Euros donation.

Emergency assistance from the EU to Serbia to fight Covid-19

In March 2020, the European Commission offered Serbia a EUR 93 Million package to fight COVID-19, in addition to another part of EUR 290 million offered to the Western Balkans.

EUR 93 Million package for Serbia vs COVID-19

Immediate measures: EUR 15 Million

Transport costs of emergency medical equipment and supplies that Serbia acquires abroad: (so far there have been 12 cargo flights financed, with the total of EUR 4.6 million, that carried over 500 tonnes of supplies, including EU donations and Serbian government purchased equipment). Expected 3 more flights to arrive, with total value of EUR 2 million that are estimated to carry approximately additional 200 tonnes. 

Purchase of additional emergency medical equipment and supplies (such as respirators, masks, gloves etc.) for the use of medical staff and the general population; as well as other immediate needs agreed with Government for health and social care.

As of 23 April 2020, the following supplies have arrived:

Scheduled to arrive in the coming days:

Support for vulnerable groups

Roma community:

Short and medium term measures: EUR 78 Million

Support jobs and small and medium enterprises to be discussed and implemented with the Serbian authorities

EUR 290 million for Western Balkans vs COVID-19

Support at regional level will focus financial instruments implemented by the EU together with loans from partner International Financial Institutions, in particular EIB and EBRD – TEAM EUROPE. Due to the size of its economy, Serbia is likely to benefit from a sizeable part of the 290 million euro in non-refundable money together with credits and technical assistance. The purpose of this support is to help to restart the economy.

EU always here for Serbia in times of needs

Generally, the EU has always provided emergency help to Serbia in difficult times:

EU Solidarity mechanisms also available for Serbia

When the COVID-19 crisis erupted in Europe, the EU has put in motion and set-up solidarity mechanisms for Europe to address the crisis together instead of individually. These mechanisms are also open for Serbia, and they include – among others:

Serbia is part of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism which has provided urgent assistance to Serbia:

Last updated: November 8, 2024, 14:20