The European Union has presented a plan, within which it will provide financial support to partner countries in the amount of over 15,6 billion euros from existing funds for external action, in order to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic in those countries.
Through joint action, the EU will primarily strive to respond to the current health crisis and humanitarian needs, to strengthen the health and water supply and sewage systems of partner countries, support their research capacities, and mitigate the socioeconomic consequences of the crisis.
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, pointed out that the virus knows no borders and that such a global challenge requires strong international cooperation.
"The European Union is working tirelessly to combat the pandemic. We know that only by working together can we stop the spread of the coronavirus in the world. Therefore, the Union will convene a virtual donor conference in order to mobilize the necessary funds and support the World Health Organization in providing assistance to the most vulnerable countries."
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy and Security, Josep Borrell, stated that the response to the coronavirus pandemic must be a united, global action.
"The European Union and its member states are contributing to combating the current health crisis and its severe consequences, both in the Union and abroad. While we do everything we can to help our citizens, we must also provide assistance to our partners in the immediate neighborhood and beyond to mitigate the negative effects on their sources of income, stability and security. Their problems are our problems. This is a global fight and we will win or lose together. Only through cooperation, joint action at the international level and multilateral solutions can we progress towards a true common future."
3,8 billion euros for the Western Balkans
The European Union continues to adapt its response to the development of the situation and plans to focus on the most affected countries in need of health support, such as countries in Africa, the Western Balkans, the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and in the Caribbean. Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Oliver Varhelji reminded that as part of the global response to the coronavirus pandemic, the EU planned more than 3,8 billion euros for the Western Balkans.
"The planned funds will be redirected to solving their current real needs, which are an immediate response to the health crisis, strengthening health systems and mitigating the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic. We share the same continent and we can only succeed together."
The EU's response is based on access Team Europe, with the aim of saving lives through quick and targeted support to partners in the fight against the pandemic. Funds from the Union, its member states and financial institutions, primarily the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, are combined to support partner countries. The first packages of measures of the Team Europe initiative are already being implemented in the countries of the Western Balkans, within which 53 million euros of grants have been allocated for Montenegro.
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