The results of the joint programme of the European Union and Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Turkey over three years will be discussed at the third Steering Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 6 March 2019, at the Hotel Metropol Palace, Belgrade.

The meeting will take stock of the Actions under this programme and present their achievements, namely in the field of ensuring justice, fighting dicrimination, protecting rights of vulnerable groups and anti-corruption. The total budget of the activities for the country under the Horizontal Facility so far has amounted to 3.97 million euros.

Introductory remarks will be given by:

• Mr Tobias Flessenkemper, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade
• Ms Ksenija Milenkovic, Assistant Minister, Ministry of European Integration
• Ms Mateja Norcic Stamcar, Deputy Head, Delegation of the European Union to Serbia
• Ms Delphine Freymann, Head of Programming Co-ordination Division, Office of the Directorate General of Programmes, Council of Europe

Actions under the Horizontal Facility in Serbia have achieved many notable results. Important work has been done to help prisoners’ re-integration into society after their release and on improving prison psychiatric system. Some 400 patients in Vrsac psychiatric Hospital are now benefiting from individual treatment programmes. There are numerous achievements in other areas, as well. Half of all labour inspectors in Serbia were trained for the first time on prevention and combating trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation. More of them shall be trained during this year. Representation of national minorities in textbooks for primary and secondary schools has been improved. 19 pilot schools, 2150 students and 250 teachers worked on making their school environment more democratic. Under this programme, Serbian authorities also requested opinions of the Venice Commission on the constitutional amendments related to the judiciary and the discussion on these amendments was facilitated through the programme.

Participants of the event will include representatives of the beneficiary institutions directly involved in the implementation of this joint programme of the European Union and Council of Europe, such as the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, Ombudsman’s Office, Supreme Court of Cassation, Judicial Academy, Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, University of Belgrade, Anti-Corruption Agency, National Council for Higher Education, Office for Human and Minority Rights, Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Commissioner for Protection of Equality, High Judicial Council, State Prosecutorial Council, as well as civil society organisations.

The meeting will begin at 09.30. Media are welcome to cover the opening speeches. Separate interviews can be arranged upon request. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.

Link to the programme of the meeting

For further information, please contact:
Tatiana Baeva  [email protected], +33 3 88 41 21 41 or

Marija Simić  [email protected], +381 63 60 13 37