March 24 (SeeNews) - The European Union is considering providing up to 57 million euro ($61.9 million) to help Bosnia fight the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and tackle its impact on the economy, the EU delegation to the country said.
In particular, the EU is considering quick assistance of up to 7 million euro worth of medical equipment and medium-term adjustment and enforcement of EU support of up to 50 million euro for the economic development programmes, the EU delegation to Bosnia said in a statement on Monday.
The EU ambassador to Bosnia, Johann Sattler said the delegation is in contact with the United Nations Development Programme and the World Health Organisation on the list of priority medical equipment that could be procured quickly.
"We are also preparing for releasing resources of up to 5 million euro for the same purpose to be available at a later stage, once Bosnia countersigns the IPA 2020 Financing Agreement,” Sattler added.
The European Union is also working, in cooperation with partners, to adjust the ongoing and planned economic development programmes such as those targeting businesses, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 for the Bosnian economy, the statement reads.
The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bosnia rose to 148 on Tuesday, from 100 a day earlier, the authorities said.
($ = 0.920806 euro)