XXXIII NGO MEETING AT THE WHITE PALACE

Belgrade, 7 December 2004 – The thirty third meeting of the international and local non governmental organizations, organizations of the United Nations and the Organizations of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, has taken place today at he White Palace. The today's meeting was organized by the Foundation of HRH Princess Katherine. It was very well attended due to the agenda of the meeting: USAID programmes in Serbia and Montenegro, presented by the chief of mission of USAID for Serbia and Montenegro, Mr. Keith Simmons.

«It is a great honour to have you here at our regular meeting of the non governmental organizations. Thank you very much for deciding to give us a presentation of the programmes of such a big organization. We all agree that our country needs help, that is why we have to start working on it right away», said HRH Princess Katherine addressing the attendees of the meeting and Mr. Simmons.

Since the Second World War USAID has been providing help to over one hundred countries all over the world in four different regions. In the Europe region, Serbia and Montenegro have a very important strategic position and a great potential in economy, said Mr. Keith Simmons. USAID (www.usaid.org.yu) has clear plans for the aid to our country, and in the essence of the aid to Serbia and Montenegro are the democratic and economic development. The government is responsible for securing good conditions for a growth of the economy in order to increase a rate of employment and standard of living. A spreading of a democracy improves social relations and number of educated people. Through the democracy the USAID programs help strengthen the society, political parties and independent media - said Mr Simmons.

At the end of this meeting HRH Princess Katherine has warmly thanked Mr. Simmons, the chief of mission of USAID, for his extensive and productive presentation of the USAID plans and programmes for Serbia and Montenegro, as well as the all meeting attendees, who took part in the constructive discussion on this very important topic.

Next NGO meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 January, 2005, at 10 a.m.