The European Union has continued to support Western Balkans partners in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and providing accurate information about the spread of the virus. In mobilising a substantial recovery package and involving the region in EU programmes, the EU has confirmed its commitment to assist the Western Balkans partners in these times of crisis.

As the High Representative / Vice President Josep Borrell said: “This is a time for solidarity, and it is a priority for the EU to support the Western Balkans, as part of our European family, in facing the impact of the pandemic.”

The EU assistance to this end was stepped up over the summer with ongoing deliveries of medical equipment in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including in the cities of Bihac, Doboj, Konjic, Livno, Sarajevo, and Zvornik. The EU’s overall support for the country in medical equipment is worth €7 million, consisting of – among other things – 7,500 test kits, 64 ventilators, 20 portable ultrasounds, nine x-ray machines, 2,000 oximeters and 1 million pieces of personal protective equipment delivered to date.

In parallel, the EU has continued supporting and engaging in media literacy initiatives for youth in the country organised by local fact-checking communities, whose work has been of paramount importance in fighting disinformation during the pandemic.