Brussels announces €38m aid package for Western Balkans

by   CIJ News iDesk VII
2020-03-31   11:34
/uploads/posts/47982d6007d338de1790bbf83e8db1200021a5d8/images/Brussel.png

The EU has announced a €38m support package to the Western Balkans for immediate assistance to the region's health systems and a further €374m to support economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. This is a response from the European Commission to a recent request from a partner from the region to support the procurement of medical equipment and devices such as respirators, lab kits, masks, glasses and protective clothing. The EU will support Albania and Northern Macedonia with €4m each and will provide Bosnia and Herzegovina with €7m. Montenegro will receive €3m while Serbia, which has been heavily impacted by the pandemic, is set to receive €15m. The EU will also be contributing pre-accession funds and expanding its use of the EU Solidarity Fund in its support of the region.