Brussels, 24/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - A donors' conference to help the reconstruction and economic recovery of Serbia and Bosnia, devastated by floods last May, will be hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on 16 July. This conference is being organised by France and Slovenia and will bring together representatives from donor countries, international financial institutions and civil society. The European Commission, France and Slovenia are making the economic recovery of these two countries a priority.
“The EU and its member states stand in solidarity with the people affected by the recent extreme floods in Southeast Europe. We are ready to use all available instruments to help the citizens of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina recover from this natural disaster”, stated Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Füle, who also called upon donors to contribute generously to the two countries' recovery efforts.
It is estimated that over 3 million people have been directly or indirectly affected by the floods, which were the most serious the countries have experienced for more than a century. The consequences could have a long-term impact on the socio-economic growth of both and may significantly influence their ability to develop or consolidate their reform agendas. To cover short- and medium-term needs in the devastated areas, the Commission has already released €65 million from previous programmes of the pre-accession assistance instrument (see EUROPE 11090). (AN)