Today, Ms Jadranka Joksimović, Minister of European Integration, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Ms Delphine Freymann, Head of Division, Council of Europe and Mr tim Cartwright, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, opened a meeting of beneficiaries in Serbia to review the progress achieved during the second year of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey” (Horizontal Facility).
The three-year Horizontal Facility (May 2016-May 2019) aims to assist authorities in the Western Balkans and Turkey to achieve greater compliance with European standards in three key areas: ensuring justice, fighting economic crime as well as combating discrimination and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups.
Discussing the contribution and importance of the Horizontal Facility Serbia, Minister of European Integration, Ms Jadranka Joksimović, emphasised the importance of sustainable and continuous reforms in the areas related to Chapters 23 and 24 of the EU accession process. “In the heart of the EU accession process lie the set of values based on the rule of law”, said Minister. She also stressed that Serbia is committed to creating environment and society which will be more contemporary, more transparent, more efficient and client oriented towards its citizens and which guarantees freedoms guarded by the Council of Europe, one of the oldest European organisations.
Ambassador Sem Fabrizi, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, underlined that the “Horizontal Facility” is a programme on shared values between the European Union, the Council of Europe and Serbia, to which the EU granted EUR 20 million. “The Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey is a great example of a successful cooperative programme, which transforms shared values such as democracy; rule of law; and social and economic justice into concrete benefits for our societies and the citizens”, said Ambassador Fabrizi. He also pointed out that the EU supports Serbia's reform process through important actions with partners such as the CoE and that the fundamental values are the reason why the reform process is so crucial.
The Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, Tim Cartwright, highlighted the excellent cooperation of the three main actors under this flagship programme: the Council of Europe, European Union and, of course, the Serbian authorities, institutions and partners. He stressed the unique value of tailoring Serbia specific technical assistance from the Council of Europe to the findings and recommendations of the Council’s Monitoring Bodies. Thus, measures to guarantee Serbia’s compliance with the Council of Europe standards contribute directly to Serbia’s EU accession process.
The meeting was attended by representatives of key beneficiary institutions, including representatives of the Ministries of Justice; Interior; Education, Science and Technological Development; Public Administration and Local Self-Government; Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs; and Health; the Ombudsman’s Office; Commissioner for Protection of Equality; Office for Human and Minority Rights; Supreme Court of Cassation; Republic Prosecutor’s Office; Judicial Academy; State Prosecutorial Council, civil society organisations; as well as representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia and the Council of Europe. They reviewed and provided guidance for the implementation of the seven Actions under the Horizontal Facility:
- Enhancing human rights protection for detained and sentenced persons;
- Supporting effective remedies and mutual legal assistance;
- Strengthening legal guarantees for independent and impartial tribunals;
- Strengthen integrity and combat corruption in the higher education;
- Fostering a democratic school culture;
- Preventing and combating trafficking in human beings;
- Strengthening the protection of national minorities.
The total funding envelope for the seven actions implemented in the country amounts to 3.5 million EUR.
Contact for media requests:
Ms Mona Alghaith, Council of Europe Office in Belgrade
Ms Danijela Božović, Delegation of the European Union
