Belgrade - On April 28, 2017, the United States and the Government of Serbia signed amendments to two bi-lateral assistance agreements.  The amendments provide an additional $9 million to support Serbia’s EU accession efforts by improving government operations, combating corruption, strengthening rule of law, and growing Serbia’s economy.   

“Since 2001, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided $748 million and partnered with Serbians to strengthen democratic governance and to make Serbia’s economy more competitive,” said United States Ambassador Kyle Scott.  “The additional funding we are providing today will continue our partnership and support Serbia’s EU accession efforts.”

“Serbia is determined to realize its development  opportunity and become part of the European Union,” said Minister Jadranka Joksimovic. “To attain this goal Serbia will direct all available resources toward adopting and implementing the EU acquis and attaining standards that will make it an equal member state. On this path, finanicial support and future collaboration with the United States as a partner in development is of utmost importance to Serbia.”

Previous USAID support to Serbia has:

• Made obtaining construction permits and complying with business inspections easier and more transparent;
• Helped make Serbia one of the ten most improved countries in the World Bank's 2016 Doing Business ranking;
• Renovated misdemeanor courts throughout Serbia and reduced problematic case backlogs by up to 80 percent in some courts.
• Introduced e-governance solutions in 83 municipalities--making it easier for Serbians to change their official residences or to register marriages and births.
• Helped Serbia draft and implement its first Whistleblower Protection Law—making it easier and safer to report corruption and fraud.