EU spokeswoman says no time for groundless accusations

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told the media after declaring a state of emergency on Sunday that “we cannot import medical equipment from the countries of the EU as of today”.  

The European Western Balkans portal recalled that the European Commission’s implementing directive says that the individual member states will issue export permits for face masks, goggles, hazmat suits, gloves and similar equipment. The portal was told by sources in the European Commission that those exports are possible but require the permission of the individual member states not on the Commission whose directive says that the member state governments have to abide by EU crisis situation regulations and efforts in support of the World Health Organization.  

Pisonero said in a statement that close coordination and cooperation are crucial in responding to the situation. “Solidarity is need in these hard times. This is not time for debates or groundless accusations,” the Beta news agency quoted her as saying.  

According to Pisonero, the EU is looking at the best ways to provide support to ease the social and economic consequences, including re-directing IPA fund finances. She recalled that the EU is the main donor, investor and trade partner for the Western Balkans and that it approved more than a billion Euro a year to support the population of the region since 2014.