Despite the planned expenditure reduction, the Austrian government intends to complete ongoing development projects and programs as scheduled, according to the country’s aid agency.
The Austrian Development Agency made the statement to refute reports that the government’s austerity measures, which will entail the agency to cut its budget in 2011 by 10 percent, will shut down current projects. It also assured that there will be no reduction in co-financing with non-governmental organizations next year.
“These budget cuts are cushioned with the long-planned gradual withdrawal from the countries of Southeast Europe,” ADA said in a press release.
The agency noted that partner countries in the region are making good progress toward accession to the European Union. It said ADA branches in Montenegro and Macedonia have already been closed down. Similar plans are expected to materialize in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia by the end of 2012.
