“We always find a reason to criticize the EU, and this time we are grateful for the large amount of money it invests in tourism in Eastern Serbia, from Felix Romuliana to Rajac Pimnice”, said Vucic at the International Tourism Fair at the Belgrade Fair, at the booth of “Donje Podunavlje” marked the beginning of the implementation of the EU-funded project “Cultural Heritage and Tourism” together with the Namak government, implemented by the German Organization for International Cooperation GIZ.
Vucic emphasized that the Danube and eastern Serbia are pearls of tourist offer.
“I hope that the EU will continue with similar projects for other parts of Serbia”, Vucic said, urging Serbian citizens to return from abroad and help with their knowledge to develop tourism in that part of Serbia.
The head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Sam Fabrici, said that work would be done to present Eastern Serbia and the Danube region to Europe.
“We are happy to finance a project worth 16.5 million euros, of which 10 percent was provided by the German government and the rest by the EU”, Fabrici said.
He explained that 10 million euros would be set aside for the revival of Roman culture by Felix Romullian and medieval culture.
Eastern Serbia, according to him, is not only a cultural heritage, but also natural beauty and viticulture.
“This investment will also affect the economic development of the municipalities as 1.5 million euros will be a gift for local entrepreneurs, craftsmen and innovative ideas”, Fabrici said.
Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications Minister Rasim Ljajic said the EU’s cultural heritage and tourism project is the largest tourism investment in Serbia so far.
“Despite the potential, the lower Danube region is still underutilized, because the area is not recognized as a tourist destination”, Ljajic said. He added that seven cultural sites will be rounded off with the implementation of the project in the Lower Danube, and eight of the 45 planned projects in tourism this year will refer to that area.
German Deputy Ambassador Dorothea Gizelman said that Germany and Serbia are marking 20 years of successful cooperation this year and that Germany’s assistance is a focus on boosting the competitiveness of the economy and citizens’ standards.
“By joining forces, we will improve opportunities in rural Serbia to get jobs and stay in the country”, Gizelman said.
She said she expects the EU Cultural and Tourism Heritage project to help attract more tourists to eastern Serbia who have “breathtaking beauties”, Danas reports.
The project will be implemented in eight municipalities and cities – Smederevo, Pozarevac, Kladovo, Negotin, Zajecar, Veliko Gradiste, Golupac and Majdanpek.
