Brussels, 12/04/2005 (Agence Europe) - On 6 April, the European Commission adopted three proposals of decision by written procedure relating to the EU's annual financial assistance programmes for Macedonia, Serbia-Montenegro and Kosovo. In total, EUR 272.5 million will be allocated to these countries in 2005, within the CARDS programme for reconstruction, development and stabilisation of the region. The annual programmes for Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as well as the regional annual programme, CARDS, are being developed for approval later, a Commission press release explains.
The overall amount of the 2005 financial assistance programme for Serbia-Montenegro will be EUR 184 million: - the Union of Serbia-Montenegro will receive EUR 7.5 million broken down as follows: - 0.4 million for democratic stabilisation in order to strengthen rule of law, transparency and democracy; - 4.9 million for good governance and the institutions; - 2 million for economic and social development, especially for promoting extension of the EU's internal market; - 0.2 million for the General Technical Assistance Facility (GTAF), which allows for rapid preparation and implementation of the activities of the annual programme as well as the reserve programme, used in unforeseen circumstances. - Serbia will receive EUR 154.5 million including: - 17 million for democratic stabilisation focusing on the situation of refugees, displaced persons and the Roma community; - 50.5 million for good governance and the institutions for improving Serbia's capacity when it comes to public administration, public finance, European integration, economic management and justice; - 82 million for economic and social development to support SMEs, the process of privatisation, trade, education, transport and energy; - 5 million under GTAF and the Reserve Programme. - Montenegro will have EUR 22 million: - 0.7 million for democratic stabilisation, with emphasis on the situation of refugees, displaced persons and the Roma community; - 7.5 million for good governance and institution building in order to enhance administrative capacity, rule of law and the fight against organised crime; - 12.8 million for economic and social development, mainly to support transport infrastructures, enterprise, the environment, agriculture; - and 1 million for GTAF and the Reserve Programme.
The amount of the annual action programme for Kosovo will be EUR 54 million including: - 6 million for democratic stabilisation, mainly for the reintegration of minority communities; - 19.6 million for good governance and for institutional building for the provisional government of Kosovo as well as rule of law; - 26.9 million for economic and social development including in order to strengthen SMEs, support the development of the rural economy and the energy sector and ensure a higher level of education; - and 1.5 million for GTAF and the Reserve Programme.
The annual action programme for Macedonia will amount to EUR 34.5 million: - 2 million for democratic stabilisation in order to help the government implement the Ohrid Framework Agreement; - 18.5 million for good governance and institution building, focusing on justice and home affairs and reform of public administration; - 10.6 million for economic and social development, especially for improving the investment climate and ensuring a better level of education; - 1.4 million for GTAF and the Reserve Programme; - and 2 million to cover Macedonia's possible participation in a number of Community programmes.