The European Commission said on Tuesday that another shipment of 65,000 medical masks is being delivered to the countries of the Western Balkans to help them combat the coronavirus pandemic.

“Today, the European Union is delivering further FFP2 masks to Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia from rescEU – the common European reserve of medical equipment created to help countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak,” a press release said.

”While we observe positive evolutions of lower infection rates in some areas, more work needs to be done to prevent a further or reoccurring spread of the coronavirus – and protective masks are essential in this fight. Today, we are sending 65.000 additional protective masks to Croatia and our neighbours in the Western Balkans on top of previous deliveries. I thank Romania for hosting and transporting the rescEU equipment to those in need” Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic is quoted as saying.

The press release recalled that the EU has already shipped 370,000 masks from the rescEU reserve along with other assistance thorugh the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and bilateral offers from EU Member States. “Romania and Germany are the first Member States to host the rescEU reserve, and are therefore responsible for procuring medical items such as personal protective equipment. The Commission finances 100% of the procurement, maintenance and delivery costs,” it said.