Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Vincent Degert has announced that the EU and the Serbian government will continue supporting 600,000 Serbian citizens who live below the poverty line, as well as other groups who are marginalized in some way.

Providing help for the poor in times of a global economic crisis must not be seen as an expense but an investment which is good not only for social outcasts, but also for the Serbian economy and society, Degert said for a government Newsletter on Social Inclusion and Poverty Reduction.

Degert said that the EU has so far invested EUR 54 million as support for the return of IDPs and refugees and their integration in local communities, as well as EUR 11 million for education of marginalized groups.

Approximately EUR 7 million are being allocated to improve housing for orphans in nursing homes and integrate them into society.

Professional training for 1,500 unemployed, young and disabled people has also been provided.

Degert said that the EU has declared 2010 the year of the fight against poverty and social exclusion, stressing that 84 million EU citizens, of which 19 million are children, are living on the edge of poverty and cannot satisfy their basic needs.