Jadranka Joksimovic: Serbia can count on EU membership in next five to seven years

Photo: Telegraf.rs

Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic said today that it is certain that Serbia will become a member of the European Union, stating that her opinion is that it will happen in five to seven years.

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"It is certain that Serbia will become a member of the EU, the only question is when it will happen, in five, seven, ten years, I think it will be in five to seven years," Joksimovic said at the ceremony on the occasion of awarding professional support packages for 30 local governments.

The value of the EU donation for 30 local governments, which is awarded within the Exchange 6 program - increasing credibility, program budgeting and control of execution of public expenditures at the local level in Serbia, is two million euros. The program lasts until September 2024.

Joksimovic explained that it is extremely important for local governments to strengthen their capacities, and added that European integration is a process in which the whole society is involved.

She added that today, Serbia is deep in the accession process according to the new methodology.

"One of the goals of European integration is uniform development or reduction of regional inequalities. These are not easy reforms, and in that sense the funds available have been a significant source of assistance in previous years and will be in the future," said the minister.

According to her, Serbia is at the forefront of the European integration process in the region and can even provide expert support.

The minister said that Serbia is actively working on cluster 5, although it has not now opened cluster 3 (competitiveness and inclusive growth).

"At the same time, we are preparing for cluster 5, which also includes chapter 22, which refers to regional development," said the minister.

Local self-governments that will receive the funds were selected based on a public invitation. Municipalities and cities will receive professional assistance packages to produce development plans, medium-term plans, and improve planning and budgeting of capital projects.

The package of support for development plans will be given to 12 municipalities, Boljevac, Vrnjacka Banja, Krupanj, Kraljevo, Veliko Gradiste, Pozarevac, Krusevac, Smederevska Palanka, Sabac, Surdulica, Gadzin Han and Cacak.

The support package for development of medium-term plans is for 10 local governments, Bela Palanka, Razanj, Novi Pazar, Merosina, Nis, Raska, Sombor, Kanjiza, Backa Topola and Aleksinac.

The support package for improving planning and budgeting of capital projects is for 9 local governments, Pirot, Vranje, Pozarevac, Kragujevac, Petrovac na Mlavi, Sremska Mitrovica, Prijeolje, Leskovac and Arandjelovac.

(Telegraf.rs)