Baden-Wuerttemberg helps Serbia increase employment

BELGRADE - The memorandum on the promotion of cooperation between Serbia and the German federal state of Baden-Wuerttemberg was signed in Belgrade on Tuesday, after a two-days' work of the Joint Commission focusing on cooperation opportunities in tourism, IT industry, energy, water management, environmental protection, police work and education.

The memorandum was signed at the Palace of Serbia by Serbia's Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Rasim Ljajic and Baden-Wuerttemberg's Minister for the Bundesrat (Federal Council), Europe and International Affairs Peter Friedrich.

Friedrich signaled that the German federal state will provide assistance to Serbia in the areas of judiciary reform and establishment of the rule of law, development of small and medium-sized enterprises, science and culture, which should lead to an increase in the employment rates.

Ljajic said that the Commission operated in six working groups and expressed his gratitude to Baden-Wuerttemberg on the support in the EU integration process. He noted that assistance was considered in the areas of public administration reform and strengthening the capacities of local self-governments, and thanked for the aid in energy sources and flood prevention.

The Commission also considered assistance to Serbia in the preparations for chapters 23 and 24.

Ljajic noted that the German federal state provided EUR 50,000 to fund the water purification project in Stara Pazova, adding that Serbia will be able to access another EUR 39,000 through IPA funds.

Joint Commission drew up a concrete activity plan for 2015, which includes joint tourist offers as part of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, expert and student exchange, and the...