EU to help Bosnia cope with COVID-19 and its impact on economy

EU u BiH

European Union (EU) is considering two ways to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina including quick support in the provision of up to 7 million Euro worth of medical equipment and up to EUR 50 million for the economic development programmes, EU’s office in Sarajevo said on Monday.

“The European Union has stood beside Bosnia and Herzegovina in difficult times before, as it did with the floods recovery assistance in 2014. For the urgent action, we are in contact with UNDP/WHO on the list of priority medical equipment that could be procured rapidly. This involves supplies to hospitals, etc. We are also preparing for releasing resources of up to €5 million for the same purpose to be available at a later stage, once BiH countersigns the IPA 2020 Financing Agreement,” said EU ambassador Johann Sattler.

In cooperation with partners, the EU Delegation and the Office of the EU Special Representative said, the EU is also working to adjust the ongoing and planned economic development programmes/ projects (such as the programmes targeting businesses, agriculture, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises) to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19 for the economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina.