Minister of European Integration of Serbia Tanja Miščević stated today that small cross-border cooperation projects in the region are often more visible and more important for the citizens than large infrastructure projects.
At the conference marking 20 years of territorial and cross-border cooperation projects supported by the EU, she underlined that the projects referred to the promotion of health protection, tourism, the fight against climate change, floods and fires, and many others.
“The fourth generation of these programmes is underway, and it brings nearly EUR 260 million”, the Minister said and particularly underlined the projects in tourism that attracted great interest and which was the most discussed topic.
In addition to the concrete benefit for the citizens, such projects have a great role in strengthening bilateral cooperation between the countries in the region, she pointed out.
Tanja Miščević added that Serbia should “close ranks” with the neighbouring countries and get prepared for new regional cross-border projects, new calls and financial cycles.
Representative of the European Commission Gilles Kittel emphasised that precisely such cross-border cooperation projects should prepare candidate countries for functioning and membership in the EU.
“This is a bridge between the member states and candidates”, Kittel estimated.
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation, Nicola Bertolini, underlined that cross-border cooperation projects were primarily important for the progress of rural areas and for balanced development.
“These areas are facing great challenges”, Bertolini emphasised.
Source: Fonet
