FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
as Lender as Borrower
Done in Brussels on 29. November 2024. Done in Belgrade on 28. November 2024.
[name] Johannes Hann Siniša Mali
Commissioner First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Finance of the Republic of Serbia
Signature:
Signature:
___________________________
___________________________
FOR THE NATIONAL BANK OF SERBIA
as Agent to the Borrower
Jorgovanka Tabaković
Governor
Signature:
___________________________
ANNEX 1 (a)
FORM OF REQUEST FOR PAYMENT
[on letterhead of the Borrower]
[date]
European Commission Directorate-General for the Budget Unit E-3: Borrowing and Lending operations Attn.: Head of Unit L-2920 Luxembourg
Subject: European Union Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans
Request for Payment for Loan Instalment (Allocated Percentage)
Dear Sir/Madam,
We refer to Regulation (EU) 2024/1449, notably Article 21 thereof, and the Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") dated [date of signature by the Borrower] between the European Union, represented by the European Commission (the "Lender"), and the Republic of Serbia (the "Borrower"). Terms defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the same meaning herein.
We confirm that the relevant qualitative and quantitative steps set out in the Commission Implementing Decision have been satisfactorily fulfilled and we hereby request the disbursement of EUR [a maximum of the amount that the Borrower must further transfer to the EWBJF as set out in the Commission Implementing Decision. We have provided the due justification of this payment request. We confirm that measures related to previously satisfactorily fulfilled qualitative and quantitative steps have not been reversed9.
We will provide a copy of the Contribution Arrangement covering the Loan Instalment and we shall transfer the Loan Instalment to the EWBJF upon receipt of a payment request from the Fund Managers.
1. We hereby irrevocably request that Loan Instalments be disbursed under and in accordance with the Loan Agreement upon the following terms:
9 For the first request for payment, please delete this sentence. a. Total principal amount of the Loan Instalment: up to EUR [xxx = maximum of the loan amount that the Borrower must further transfer to the EWBJF as set out in the Commission Implementing Decision.
b. We request a Cost of Funding, Cost of Liquidity Management and Cost of Service for the Loan Instalment based on the Cost Allocation Methodology.
c. The Maturity Date of the Loan Instalment shall not exceed 40 years with amortised repayment of principal starting after a grace period of 10 years.
d. The Loan Instalment shall be disbursed in one instalment or several Tranches.
2. We acknowledge and agree that the Disbursement shall be in accordance with and subject to:
a. the Lender being satisfied at all times that the corresponding funds are available to it from counterparties in the international capital markets on terms and conditions that are acceptable to it;
b. the Lender having previously obtained through Funding Instruments the funds requested in this Request for Payment. We irrevocably undertake to pay any fees, costs and expenses, including if applicable breakage costs and Cost of Liquidity Management, calculated according to the Cost Allocation Methodology. We irrevocably undertake to bear the costs of implementation and any fees due in respect of the implementation of the EWBJF in accordance with its General Conditions;
c. the issue by the Lender, in due course, of a Confirmation Notice
d. the Lender having received from the Borrower a copy of a signed Contribution Arrangement, covering the same amount of this Request for Payment.
3. We confirm that:
➢The list of authorised signatories sent on behalf of the Borrower by the Minister of Finance on [date] remains valid and applicable.
➢No event has occurred that would render incorrect any statement made in the Legal Opinion issued on [date].
➢No Event of Default has occurred. [Authorised signature]
Copy to:
The National Bank of the Borrower
ANNEX 1 (b)
FORM OF REQUEST FOR PAYMENT
[on letterhead of the Borrower]
[date]
European Commission Directorate-General for the Budget Unit E-3: Borrowing and Lending operations Attn.: Head of Unit L-2920 Luxembourg
Subject: European Union Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans
Request for Payment for Loan Instalment Dear Sir/Madam,
We refer to Regulation (EU) 2024/1449, notably Article 21 thereof, and the Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") dated [date of signature by the Borrower] between the European Union, represented by the European Commission (the "Lender"), and the Republic of Serbia (the "Borrower"). Terms defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the same meaning herein.
We confirm that the relevant qualitative and quantitative steps set out in the Commission Implementing Decision have been satisfactorily fulfilled and we hereby request the disbursement of EUR [a maximum of the amount that the Borrower must not further transfer to the EWBJF as set out in the Commission Implementing Decision. We have provided the due justification of this payment request. We confirm that measures related to previously satisfactorily fulfilled qualitative and quantitative steps have not been reversed10.
1. We hereby irrevocably request that Loan Instalments be disbursed under and in accordance with the Loan Agreement upon the following terms:
a. Total principal amount of the Loan Instalment: up to EUR [xxx = maximum of the loan amount that the Borrower must not further transfer to the EWBJF as set out in the Commission Implementing Decision.
b. We request a Cost of Funding, Cost of Liquidity Management and
10 For the first request for payment, please delete this sentence. Cost of Service for the Loan Instalment based on the Cost Allocation Methodology.
c. The Maturity Date of the Loan Instalment shall not exceed 40 years with amortised repayment of principal starting after a grace period of 10 years.
d. The Loan Instalment shall be disbursed in one instalment or several Tranches.
2. We acknowledge and agree that the Disbursement shall be in accordance with and subject to:
a. the Lender being satisfied at all times that the corresponding funds are available to it from counterparties in the international capital markets on terms and conditions that are acceptable to it;
b. the Lender having previously obtained through Funding Instruments the funds requested in this Request for Payment. We irrevocably undertake to pay any fees, costs and expenses, including if applicable breakage costs and Cost of Liquidity Management, calculated according to the Cost Allocation Methodology. We irrevocably undertake to bear the costs of implementation and any fees due in respect of the implementation of the EWBJF in accordance with its General Conditions;
c. the issue by the Lender, in due course, of a Confirmation Notice
3. We confirm that:
➢The list of authorised signatories sent on behalf of the Borrower by the Minister of Finance on [date] remains valid and applicable.
➢No event has occurred that would render incorrect any statement made in the Legal Opinion issued on [date].
➢No Event of Default has occurred.
[Authorised signature]
Copy to:
The National Bank of the Borrower
ANNEX 2
FORM OF CONFIRMATION NOTICE
EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL BUDGET Asset and risk management
Borrowing and lending
[Insert Borrower's contact details]
Subject: Disbursement of a Loan Instalment or Tranche of EUR [xxx] under
Regulation (EU) 2024/1449
Dear Sir or Madam,
We refer to the Loan Agreement dated [insert date of signature by the Borrower] between the European Commission (the "Lender") acting on behalf of the European Union, and the Republic of Serbia (the "Borrower") of a maximum amount of EUR [xxx] ("the Loan Agreement"). Terms defined in the Loan Agreement shall have the same meaning herein.
In line with the Request for Payment dated [insert date], the terms of the Disbursement are as follows:
| Principal amount | EUR [xxx] |
| Net disbursement amount | EUR [xxx] |
| Disbursement Date | [insert date] |
| Maturity Date | [insert date] |
| Interest payment dates | Annually on [insert date] |
| First interest payment date | [insert date] |
| Due Dates | [insert date] |
| Interest period | [insert date] |
← Pomerite tabelu levo/desno za više detalja →
The applicable Day Count Convention is Actual/Actual (ICMA), following unadjusted unless otherwise specified.
According to Article 8(7) of the Loan Agreement, please find attached the payment schedule of the loan setting out the Due Dates and the amounts of repayment of principal.
EUROPEAN UNION represented by
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Annex: Loan payment schedule
Copy: National Bank of the Borrower
ANNEX 3
FORM OF LEGAL OPINION
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA
(to be issued on official letterhead of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Serbia)
[place, date]
European Commission Directorate General for the Budget Unit E-3 – Borrowing and Lending operations L-2920 Luxembourg
Re: Loan Agreement between the European Union (as Lender) and
the Republic of Serbia (as Borrower) and the National Bank of Serbia (as
Agent to the Borrower) for a maximum amount of EUR [xxx]
Dear Sir or Madam,
In my capacity as the Minister of Justice, I refer to the above referenced Loan Agreement dated [date of signature by the Borrower] and its Annexes which constitute an integral part thereof (hereinafter together referred to as the “Loan Agreement”) between the European Union represented by the European Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Lender”) and the Republic of Serbia (hereinafter referred to as the “Borrower”) and the National Bank of Serbia as Agent to the Borrower for a maximum amount of EUR [xxx].
I warrant that I am fully competent to issue this legal opinion in connection with the Loan Agreement on behalf of the Borrower.
I have examined originals or copies of the execution versions of the Loan Agreement. I have also examined the relevant provisions of national legislation and international law applicable to the Borrower and the National Bank of Serbia, the powers of signatories and such other documents as I have deemed necessary or appropriate. Furthermore, I have made such other investigations and reviewed such matters of law as I have considered relevant to the opinion expressed herein.
I have assumed (i) the genuineness of all signatures of the Lender and the conformity of all copies to originals, (ii) the capacity and power to enter into the Loan Agreement of, and their valid authorisation and signing by the Lender and (iii) the validity, binding effect and enforceability of the Loan Agreement on each Party under Union law and, solely where EU law is silent on a particular issue, Luxembourgish law.
Terms used and not defined in this opinion shall have the meaning set out in the Loan Agreement.
This opinion is limited to the Republic of Serbia law as it stands at the date of this opinion.
Subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:
1. With respect to the laws, regulations and legally binding decisions currently in force in the Republic of Serbia, the Borrower is by the execution of the Loan Agreement by Mr. Siniša Mali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, validly and irrevocably committed to fulfil all of its obligations under it.
2. The Borrower’s execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Agreement: (i) have been duly authorised by all necessary consents, actions, approvals and authorisations; and (ii) do not violate any applicable regulation or ruling of any competent authority or any international agreement or treaty binding on it.
3. Nothing in this Loan Agreement contravenes or limits the rights of the Borrower to make punctual and effective payment of any sum due for the principal, interest or other charges under the Loan Agreement.
4. The Loan Agreement is in proper legal form under the Republic of Serbia law for enforcement against the Borrower. The enforcement of the Loan Agreement would not be contrary to mandatory provisions of the Republic of Serbia legislation, to the Republic of Serbia legal order, to international treaties or to generally accepted principles of international law binding on the Borrower.
5. It is not necessary in order to ensure the legality, validity or enforceability of the Loan Agreement that it is filed, recorded, or enrolled with any court or authority in the Republic of Serbia.
6. No taxes, duties, fees or other charges imposed by the Republic of Serbia or any taxing authority thereof or therein are payable in connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Agreement and with any payment or transfer of principal, interest, commissions and other sums due under the Loan Agreement.
7. No exchange control authorisations are required and no fees or other commission are to be paid on the transfer of any sum due under the Loan Agreement.
8. The Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Serbia, Ms. Jorgovanka Tabaković, was duly authorised by [insert basis of authorisation e.g. order of xx] to sign the Loan Agreement under [insert legal basis e.g. paragraph (x) of part [x] of Article [x] of the [e.g. Law on International Treaties] of the Republic of Serbia.
The signature of the Loan Agreement by Ms. Jorgovanka Tabaković, Governor of the National Bank of the Republic of Serbia according to the Article 9, paragraph 2 and article 61, paragraph 1 of the Law on the National Bank of Serbia (RS Official Gazette, Nos 72/2003, 55/2004, 85/2005 – other law, 44/2010, 76/2012, 106/2012, 14/2015, 40/2015 – Constitutional Court decision and 44/2018), legally and validly binds the National Bank of Serbia.
9. The choice of Union law and, solely where EU law is silent on a particular issue, Luxembourgish law as governing law for the Loan Agreement is a valid choice of law binding the Borrower and the National Bank of Serbia in accordance with the Republic of Serbia law.
10. In accordance with Article 20 of this Agreement, the Borrower has legally, effectively and irrevocably submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union in connection with the Loan Agreement and any judgement of this court would be conclusive and enforceable in the Republic of Serbia.
11. Neither the Borrower nor any of its property are immune on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from jurisdiction, attachment – whether before or after judgement or execution in respect of any action or proceeding relating to the Loan Agreement.
12. The Loan Agreement on execution comply with all domestic constitutional requirements for the Loan Agreement be operative as a matter of Republic of Serbia law and to be binding on the Borrower and the National Bank of Serbia and have been made in accordance with the Republic of Serbia legislation.
13. The Loan Agreement has been validly ratified by adoption of [insert reference to national law], which has entered into force on [insert date], or following another applicable internal procedure pursuant to its legal order, consisting of [insert the procedure provided by the national law].
14. In conclusion, the Loan Agreement has been duly executed on behalf of the Borrower and all the Borrower’s obligations in relation to the Loan Agreement are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms and nothing further is required to give effect to the same.
15. Attached hereto are unofficial English translations of the relevant provisions of the applicable the Republic of Serbia legislation on the basis of which the above opinion is issued. Such legislation is in full force and effect at the date of this opinion.
Minister of Justice of the Republic of Serbia
ANNEX 4
LIST OF CONTACTS
For the Lender:
European Commission Directorate-General for the Neighbourhood & Enlargement Negotiations Unit D-2 “Montenegro, Serbia” Attn: Head of Unit 1040, Bruxelles
Jiri Plecity Jiri.PLECITY@ec.europa.eu
Alessandro Cascavilla Alessandro.cascavilla@ec.europa.eu
European Commission Directorate-General for the Budget – Unit E-3 "Borrowing and Lending operations" Attn: Head of Unit L-2920 Luxembourg
Christian Engelen Christian.ENGELEN@ec.europa.eu
Thilo Sarre Thilo.SARRE@ec.europa.eu
For the Borrower:
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia For the attention of:
Mr Sinisa Mali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Kneza Miloša 20, Belgrade, 11000 Republic of Serbia kabinet@mfin.gov.rs; uprava@javnidug.gov.rs
Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia For the attention of:
Mr. Gojko Stanivuković, State Secretary Kneza Miloša 20, Belgrade, 11000 Republic of Serbia gojko.stanivukovic@mfin.gov.rs
With copy to:
National Bank of Serbia For the attention of:
Governor or Deputy Governors Kralja Petra 12, 11000 Belgrade