Brussels, 08/12/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 8 December, the European Commission announced the signing of an agreement officially associating the Republic of Serbia with the EU’s EU4Health programme. This agreement will enable the Serbian health authorities, as well as public and private players, to benefit from European funding in the same way as Member States from 1 January 2026. Serbia will join Norway, Iceland, Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, all of which have already joined the programme. Serbian entities will have access to open calls for projects, direct grants and joint actions. The funding will be aimed in particular at improving the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease and cancer. They will also support participation in the future European Health Data Space. The agreement should also contribute to strategies for critical medicinal products and stockpiling. Bolstering mental health services, particularly for young people, is one of the priorities funded. (LC)