EMinS Responds to Radical`s Accusations: Stop Misleading the Public

10 September 2008

The European Movement in Serbia considers the recent accusations by Aleksandar Vučić, Secretary General of the Serb Radical Party, that the organization was involved in embezzlement of 10 million Dinars from the Budget of the City of Belgrade for its `Travel to Europe` project, are clear attempt to mislead the public and demonstrate the lack of understanding for the needs of the citizens and the youth.

The European Movement comments that, as non-profit, independent and non-political organizations, it has been involved in promotion of European values and ideas in Serbia for 16 years, and that Travel to Europe project has been an important segment of its activities since its conception in 2005.

The project aims to provide an opportunity to best students in Serbia to travel to Europe, see the cities, meet the local population and culture of European capitols and promote Serbia abroad.

- We want to protect the truth, our own reputation and the reputation of the 800 students who had an opportunity through this project � often for the first time in their lives � to travel to European countries and meet with other people and cultures, says EMinS, reiterating that the participation in the project is regulated by a public competition with clearly set rules and criteria for application and participation.

The organisation explains that all funds received from the City Council were spent to purchase Inter-rail tickets for the students who were selected in a public competition.

- Therefore, the City Council doesn`t finance the European Movement, it just supports our Travel to Europe project and its users, the best students in Serbia, says EMinS, adding that the importance of the project has been recognized by numerous foreign and Serbian companies and local self-government which supported its implementation.