Belgrade – The European Commission (EC) adopted a new program of cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Macedonia, whose funding, in the amount of 3.5 million euros, was provided by the European Union’s pre-accession fund (IPA) in the 2016-2020 period. The program is co-financed by the participating countries.
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Serbia announced that 1.4 million euros were available for the implementation of the first phase of the program during the current and following year. 

As stated, this was the first cross-border program between Serbia and Macedonia.

According to the Delegation of the EU, the priorities of the program are as follows: promotion of employment, labor mobility and cross-border social and cultural inclusion, encouraging the development of tourism and preservation of cultural and natural heritage.

The seat of the Joint Technical Secretariat will be in Leskovac, while its branch office will be in Kumanovo.

In Serbia, the Program covers the territory of Jablanica district (the city of Leskovac and the municipalities of Bojnik, Lebane, Medvedja, Vlasotince and Crna Trava) and Pcinj district (the city of Vranje with two municipalities – Vranje and Vranjska Spa and the municipalities of Vladicin Han, Surdulica, Bosilegrad, Trgoviste, Bujanovac and Presevo).

In Macedonia, the Program includes the Northwestern region (the municipalities of Kratovo, Lipkovo, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoricane, Rankovce and Kriva Palanka), the Skopje region (the municipalities of Aracinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Ilinden, Petrovec, Sopiste, Studenicani and Zelenikovo) and the Municipality of the City of Skopje (Butel, Gjorce Petrov and Saraj).

The area in which the program is implemented is over 10,000 square kilometers large and it includes around 732,000 people living in 30 municipalities.

The programs of cross-border cooperation are aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation through joint local and regional initiatives and projects.

Source: “Beta” news agency and Coordination Body