Organizers of the donor conference focus on economic recovery

Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, stated before the donor conference in Brussels that the EU and member states must show solidarity with the people affected by the floods, Patria reports.

- We are ready to use all available resources to help the citizens of BiH and Serbia after the floods. A lot of funds are needed, but the conference will also serve to mobilize other countries – Füle said.

The donor conference in Brussels on July 16 will be held with the assistance of the European Commission, as well as France and Slovenia. The goal of the conference is to help overcome the consequences of the devastating floods that hit BiH and Serbia last month.

Füle also called on other donors to be as generous as international donors, financial institutions, and civil society organizations. The European Commission, France, and Slovenia are prioritizing the economic recovery of both countries and will provide financial contributions in this segment. In addition to mobilizing international financial aid, this conference will have another goal, which is to strengthen cooperation between countries during floods and other natural disasters in the region.

As stated for the BiH news agency Patria by Žan Erik Pake, Director for the Western Balkans countries in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations, he is visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, where he is working with experts to finalize the assessment of damages, losses, and needs after the May floods in BiH. This document will also contain recommendations for BiH authorities on what to do to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.

- People affected by this catastrophe must not wait, and much must be done before winter. I also welcome the activities of domestic authorities in establishing solidarity funds and self-contributions. It is very important that the country also utilizes its potential in this regard – Pake said.