Luxembourg, 12/07/2004 (Agence Europe) - Senior officials from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR), held talks on 7 July with the European Agency for Reconstruction (EAR) in Luxembourg. The talks focused on how the two institutions could increase their co-operation for further financing the development in the Western Balkans, and their integration with the enlarged European Union. Mr Gerlando Genuardi, EIB Vice-President with special responsibility for the Western Balkans, welcomed the EAR delegation headed by Mr Richard Zink, EAR Director. The six EAR high-level officials discussed with fifteen EIB high-level staff members the co-ordination and complementarity of financing activity in the region, in areas such as private sector, infrastructure, energy, environment, health and education. The two EU institutions have worked together to promote investment in energy, transport, health and other essential infrastructure, particularly in Serbia and Montenegro.