The European Commission has adopted a national program for Serbia that grants 178.7 million euros ($244 million) to Belgrade for reforms.
Under the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Serbia, the money is to help Serbia make changes in such sectors as public administration, transport, energy, environment, and agriculture.
In a statement, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said 2013 was a "historic year for Serbia" with Brussels deciding to open accession talks with Belgrade and with the Stabilization and Association Agreement coming into force.
Fuele said the EU will have given a total of 6.2 billion euros ($8.5 billion) to Serbia in pre-accession funds.
The EU announced last week that Serbia would begin accession negotiations on January 21 after EU ministers "acknowledged reform and normalization efforts" by Belgrade towards Kosovo.
Under the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Serbia, the money is to help Serbia make changes in such sectors as public administration, transport, energy, environment, and agriculture.
In a statement, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fuele said 2013 was a "historic year for Serbia" with Brussels deciding to open accession talks with Belgrade and with the Stabilization and Association Agreement coming into force.
Fuele said the EU will have given a total of 6.2 billion euros ($8.5 billion) to Serbia in pre-accession funds.
The EU announced last week that Serbia would begin accession negotiations on January 21 after EU ministers "acknowledged reform and normalization efforts" by Belgrade towards Kosovo.
