Dr Zlatibor Lončar, Minister of Health in the Government of the Republic of Serbia participated in the Ministers of Health meeting under the Berlin Process, which was held today and was organized by the German Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn.
On that occasion, the WHO Regional Director, Dr Kluge, pointed out that, despite good indicators, Europe had not yet finished its fight against the coronavirus, and that now all countries of the old continent had to display solidarity and work together on accelerated and broad immunization of citizens. In addition to the ministers of health from the countries of Southeast Europe, the video conference was attended by the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, Olivér Várhelyi, who pointed out that after the pandemic, nothing would be the same in public health and in all other areas. Várhelyi also announced a EUR 28 billion support programme for the Southeast Europe countries’ health systems by 2025, in order for them to overcome the consequences of the pandemic and for further improvement.
17 June 2021
The topic of today's meeting was 'safe travel during the pandemic', and Minister Lončar informed the participants of this regional meeting about the results of our fight against COVID-19, as well as about the current measures implemented in Serbia regarding of travel for domestic and foreign citizens. Minister Lončar used this opportunity to present our 'green certificate', the first of its kind in the region.
In addition to the Ministers of Health of the Western Balkans, the meeting was also attended by their colleagues from France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Poland in the capacity of observers. The addresses were delivered by the Federal Minister of Health of Germany and Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood, Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, as well as representatives of the Robert Koch Institute and the European Centre for Infectious Disease Control.
On that occasion, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi commended Serbia for the way in which our country is fighting against the coronavirus, especially for the policy of vaccine assistance and donations to the countries and citizens in the region.
