USA to provide USD 22 million for strengthening of competitiveness and rule of law in Serbia

Serbia and the United States of America today signed two agreements securing additional American help of USD 22 million for the strengthening of the competitiveness of the economy and the rule of law in Serbia, an enhancement of the media environment and the fight against corruption.

Following the signing of the agreement, Serbian Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic stated that the USA had provided around a billion dollars in grants since 2001 for the enhancement of various fields.

Specifying that these are not loans, Jadranka Joksimovic stated that the help was tied to concrete projects throughout Serbia, for the development of small and medium companies and the enhancement of local development.

Joksimovic said that the USA was one of the most important partners of Belgrade and that they supported Serbia on its road to the European Union.

US Ambassador to Belgrade Kyle Scott presented a map of Serbia showing more than 1,850 spots where the USA has aided the reconstruction of schools, the paving of roads and the protection of cultural monuments.

The US help has arrived to local communities everywhere in Serbia, Scott said.

He stated that there was also another type of help, related to the government and NGOs, for the purpose of a democratic and an economic development of Serbia.

Scott said that they had had an impact on facilitating the issuing of building permits, leading to an increase in construction activities, the creation of jobs and a reduction of potential corruption.

He added that the renovation of misdemeanor courts throughout Serbia had been enabled and that electronic government had been implemented in several dozen municipalities.

Scott stated that their help meant partnership, that they were working together with the Government of Serbia and the civil society and that the help provided was another proof of their support to Serbia in its efforts to become a member of the EU, as well as a democratic and prosperous country, Scott stated.

Vlada Republike Srbije

Ambasada SAD Beograd

Ministarstvo za evropske integracije Republike Srbije

competitiveness of economy

rule of law

competitiveness of Serbian economy

rule of law in Serbia

Kyle Scott

Jadranka Joksimovic

US help to Serbia