The first EU-funded projects Fair took place on Tuesday, 17 March, in Belgrade, and was organised by EU Delegation Office and EU Info Centre.

At the Fair was 11 stands represented 15 sectors with 60 projects funded by the EU. ECG’s project “Capacity Building for Development of the National Animal Disease Compensation Fund and Other Services” was presented by National project coordinator Budimir Plavsic, in front of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Veterinary Directorate.

The purpose of this project is to support the implementation of the official veterinary control requirements in the field of animal health and its further harmonization with the EU requirements and the best practice from EU Member States, and to provide continuous support for combating and eradication of rabies and CSF, and strategy for development of the national compensation fund for animal diseases.

The Fair featured a selection of successful EU-funded projects implemented in Serbia since 2000, and was opened by Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport and Minister without portfolio in charge with European integration Jadranka Joksimovic.

Head of the EU Delegation said that the EU and Serbian Government would soon sign an agreement on new financial assistance package from IPA 2014 funds, to the amount of EUR 189 million.

Minister Joksimović said that Fair’s goal was to increase visibility of IPA funds. EUR 62 million was redirected to flood relief out of EUR 179 million, plus additional 10 million applied for together with Bosnia and Herzegovina, whereas the rest was aimed at strengthening of public administration, rule of law and migration policy, energy, education and innovation, Joksimovic said.