Norway supports reforms in Serbia

NEWS 02.07.201814:32
Tanjug/Dimitrije Gol

Erna Solberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, said on Monday that her country, though not a European Union member, would continue supporting Serbia’s reforms and integration.

Solberg, who is on an official visit to Belgrade, said, after meeting with her Serbia’s counterpart Ana Brnabic, that Norway remained committed to the stability of the Western Balkans and added that Serbia has a vital role in that cooperation.

Brnabic said Norway was Serbia’s significant partner and that its example showed how successfully neighbours could cooperate despite the turbulent past.

She said that the trade between the two countries was on the rise, but still at a low level. In 2017 it was 58.2 million Euros, eight percent more than the year before.

Solberg said that Serbia was a recognised investment destination for Norway, but added that the country needed to create predictable conditions and fair play for foreign companies.

Brnabic added that Norway was one of the most significant bilateral donors to Serbia and that half of that aid went to the least developed parts of the country.

Also on Monday, Norway and Serbia signed an annex to the agreement on empowering the fight against illegal employment.