Serbia to get EUR 288 million from EU in grants for agriculture from IPARD III program

The Government of Serbia today signed a financial agreement with the European Commission, IPARD III, by which the European Union allocates EUR 288 million in grants for the agricultural sector to Serbia. The agreement was signed by the minister for European integration of Serbia, Tanja Miscevic, and the head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, in the presence of the minister of agriculture, forestry and water management of Serbia, Aleksandar Martinovic.

They signed the agreement after visiting the agricultural property of Srdjan Miletic, a user of IPARD fund, who breeds fattening chicks in the village of Tolic in Mionica.

– The support is important for our state and agricultural producers. We are glad that the IPARD III funds are increased by around 65%, because EUR 175 million was allocated through the IPARD II program – said Martinovic.

He pointed out that the IPARD III program encompassed four measures – investments in the physical property of agricultural properties, processing and placement of agricultural products and fish farming products.

As he said, the second and third measures are the diversification of agricultural properties and the development of operations and technical assistance.

– The aim of the state is to have people, especially young ones, stay in villages and build the future for themselves and their families, by providing various measures of support and a range of affirmative measures we intend to implement – said Martinovic.

Miscevic said that what was still missing was a full export to the EU, as well as the safety of agricultural products.

– I would like to remind that, at this moment, the second public call for the use of IPARD has been opened, so that the funds that are available to us would be utilized – said Miscevic.

Giaufret said that the EU cared for Serbian agriculturists, as well as that they would work on Serbian agriculturists becoming competitive EU agriculturists once Serbia became a member of the EU.

– The funds from the IPARD program are considerably increased, which reflects the dedication of the EU to these goals, because we see Serbia as a future EU member. Serbia will have to use these funds well and increase its absorption capacities, so as to best use our funds. This is a great incentive for the agriculture of Serbia – he said.

Delegacija Evropske unije u Republici Srbiji Beograd

Ministarstvo za evropske integracije Republike Srbije

Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodoprivrede Republike Srbije

EU Delegation to Serbia

Ministry of European Integration of Serbia

Ministry of Agriculture of Serbia

Aleksandar Martinović

Tanja Miščević

Emanuele Giaufret

Srđan Miletić

IPARD 3