Serbia joins largest EU health programme

Minister of Health Zlatibor Lončar and European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Olivér Várhelyi signed a document in Brussels today by which Serbia joined the EU4HEALTH programme and as a candidate country formally became a full participant in the largest health programme in the history of the European Union, worth over €5 billion.

Lončar said on this occasion that participation in the EU4HEALTH programme is not only financial support, but also a clear confirmation of Serbia's commitment to developing its health system in line with EU standards.

This programme provides us not only with financial and technical support, but also inclusion in the European health community, in which Serbian citizens should take an equal place, the Minister said.

He added that the goal to which Serbia aspires is very clear – a stronger, more modern and efficient healthcare system, which will be fully aligned with EU standards, but at the same time adjusted to the needs of our citizens.

Várhelyi welcomed the signing of the aforementioned document with Serbia and underlined that there is a common focus on improving healthcare both in the EU and in the candidate countries.