US, Serbian gov't sign amendments on further development aid to Serbia

BELGRADE - The US and the Serbian government signed on Friday two amendments to existing agreements, under which the US will provide an additional 18 mln dollars in development aid to Serbia through USAID.

On behalf of the Serbian government, the amendments on aid to improve the public administration and establish a more competitive market economy, were signed by Minister for European Integration Tanja Miscevic with US Ambassador to Belgrade Christopher Hill in attendance.

Hill said USAID had been a partner of Serbia for 23 years and focused on diverse areas such as energy, environmental protection, policy reforms and economic growth.

He said that, through USAID, the US government was trying to help Serbia with everything it needed on its EU path.

Miscevic said the US had provided more than 1.2 bln euros to Serbia through various funds since 2001, when it started giving aid to Serbia on a regular basis.

The signing of the amendments was also attended by USAID Serbia Mission Director Brooke Isham.