- I am honored for the opportunity to attend the handover of equipment to the partners in the project "Lime Trees & Honey Bees for Sustainable Development of the Danube Microregion", which we proudly presented at this very place less than a year ago. I would like to thank all the partners and the Local Economic Development Office for their great engagement in the project implementation. I am pleased that the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency approved the funding for this project, thus helping to make this unique-quality product more easily available on the local and European markets, providing a greater chance to entrepreneurship and improved work conditions in beekeeping – said the Mayor, adding that it is crucial for the City to encourage the private sector and this field of agriculture which is bearing results, thus certainly leading to the creation of new job opportunities.

The equipment has been procured for the purpose of strengthening the capacities of beekeepers associations and educational institutions, in order to further develop beekeeping in the Fruška Gora region. The beekeepers associations have been provided with computer equipment and furniture, while the educational institutions received computer and laboratory equipment.

Prof. Nada Plavša, PhD, from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, pointed out that the provision of equipment for the bee diseases examination laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture and the pollen analysis laboratory at the Faculty of Sciences improved the capacities of educational institutions. She added that this provides support to beekeepers through certain analysis necessary for health and quality controls of honey. It will contribute to the strengthening of vertical associations, while faculties will, beside consulting and educational services, be able to offer practical services significant for the development of beekeeping.

Novi Sad, July 17^th, 2014