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GEOFFREY
BARRETT, EU AMBASSADOR
AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN KRAGUJEVAC
SERBIA
CLOSER TO EUROPE
"I
am very satisfied with the results of the project realized
in 11 cities but it is still necessary providing of full
support to the civil society towards integration to the
Europe" - emphasized Ambassador of the EU.
KRAGUJEVAC
- I hope, that the project implemented in 11 cities of
Serbia contributed to the development of healthy, modern
and temporally civil society, based on european values, -
Mr. Geoffrey Barrett, Ambassador of the European Union in
Serbia and Montenegro said, at the international
conference regarding civil society in our country.
The
two-day conference was the final activity of two years
project titled: "Promotion of pluralism by
strengthening NGOs and the civil society in Serbia".
The project has been supported by the European Union and
the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Addressing
to the participants from Kragujevac, Zajecar, Uzice, Nis,
Kraljevo, Leskovac, Smederevska Palanka, Pirot, Kucevo,
Paracin and Knjazevac, Ambassador Barrett stated that each
democratic country had to respect the human rights and
obligations prescribed by the European Community.
Mr.
Geoffrey Barrett pointed out his contentment of the
project results which provided capacity building for 30
NGO experts, more than 150 awareness building meetings, 52
trainings and seminars, hundreds of radio and TV
broadcasts in 11 cities. By this way - know-how, expertise
and skills were transferred to the people in Serbia.
Resource
Centers were established towards providing the public
access the various kinds of information which will create
better cooperation on national level, - Mr. Barrett added.
Relations among local authorities and other social
partners (institutions) are strengthened. On behalf of Mr.
Ambassador, media participated in the project from its
very beginning which contributed to their independent
position.
I
hope that NGOs are capable enough now to acquire their
structures and capacities, and I am sure they will be able
to solve the social and economic problems Serbia is
facing.
Serbia
still needs the full support for the civil society towards
integration to the Europe because the way to Europe is
extremely long way - Mr. Geoffrey Barrett added.
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ASSISTANCE
STILLToday, 2000 non-governmental organizations
exist in Serbia and Montenegro. Civil society was
always dynamic, not only in the way of
strengthening democratization processes but in
political events (turns) as well. These processes
have not been finished still. International
Community encouraged these processes. Together
with the donors, we will continue providing
assistance to NGOs active in the territory of
Serbia - Mr. Spinellis stated. |
Mr.
Michalis Spinellis, Ambassador of Greece in Serbia and
Montenegro, who was one of the key speakers at the
conference said that this country paid so much attention
to the neighbors, especially in the Region of South-East
Europe.
Greece
has a fund for ademocratic institutions supporting named
HELLENIC AID. Our non-governmental organizations were
implemented here the activities concerning refugee
population and life surrounding protection - Ambassador
Spinellis stated.
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