Serbia joins EU4HEALTH, EU's largest health care programme

BRUSSELS - Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar and EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Oliver Varhelyi signed on Monday in Brussels a document under which Serbia has joined the EU4HEALTH programme, formally becoming a full-fledged participant of the largest health care programme in EU history, worth more than 5 bln euros.

Loncar said participation in EU4HEALTH did not mean only financial support, but a clear confirmation of Serbia's commitment to developing its health care system in line with EU standards.

"This programme ensures not only financial and technical support to us, but also inclusion in the European health care community, in which Serbian citizens need to take their equal place," a statement by the Ministry of Health quoted Loncar as saying.

He added that Serbia was aspiring to a very clear goal - a stronger, more modern and more efficient health care system that would be fully aligned with EU standards while being adapted to the needs of Serbian citizens.

Varhelyi said he was exceptionally pleased to have signed the document with Serbia.

Together, we are focused on improving health care in the EU as well as in membership candidate countries, Varhelyi said.