(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 19 - The European Union has activated many existing mechanisms to support the countries of the western Balkans, in particular Serbia, in this difficult period marked by the coronavirus pandemic, said the head of the EU representation in Belgrade, ambassador Sem Fabrizi. According to media, Fabrizi underlined that constant contacts are in progress with the Serbian government to examine the best ways to allocate 200 m euros from the IPA Funds to support the Serbian economy.

"The European Union - said the ambassador - is coordinating all measures aimed at reducing the risk from the coronavirus and protecting the lives of people and the economy. The European Council yesterday in a summit held by videoconference adopted measures to combat the epidemic and mobilize all forces to supply urgent materials such as masks, respirators and medical equipment, and allow everything to arrive where it is most needed." According to Fabrizi, Serbia proved to be more prepared to deal with the epidemic than other countries thanks to EU aid. Twenty clinical centers, including the Torlak Institute of Virology, were renovated, materials for an infectious disease clinic, and 122 ambulances out of the 250 donated by the EU, were equipped with respirators, thanks to EU aid. (ANSA)