The Head of the PFG with Norway said that the relations between Serbia and Norway are good and friendly, and he expected they will continue to develop. He commended the cooperation between the National Assembly and the erstwhile Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia, and especially the cooperation with the Serbia-Norway friendship society in the previous period.

“The PFG with Norway is one of the largest at the National Assembly and comprises 39 members from all the parliamentary groups”, said Karic.

He stated that the National Assembly is open to cooperation between the PFGs and parliamentary committees, especially the Environmental Protection Committee and the Committee on the Economy, Regional Development, Trade, Tourism and Energy. The MPs can also assist the two countries’ executive powers to complete the talks on the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation, the ratification of which would promote trade between Serbia and Norway, Karic concluded.

He added that the PFG has been following the influx of Norwegian investment into Serbia and its members are eager to contribute to the increase of trade between the two countries.

“Norway ranks as second direct investor into Serbia, which is very important both for Serbia and our friendship group, and we are very grateful for it”, Karic stated.

He added that Serbia is especially interested in cooperation in the energy sector since Norway has plenty experience in the field, especially as regards renewable energy sources. The production of natural gas can also be interesting because a supply of gas from Norway via Vienna and the hub in Hungary is feasible, and would widen the scope of Serbia’s energy independence, added Karic.

He thanked Norway for its support of Serbia’s progress toward the European Union, even though it is not an EU member, as well as its many donations and especially its assistance during last year’s floods.

Ambassador Bjørnstad stressed that his country would continue to assist Serbia both in times of trouble and in its path to the EU. He agreed that the two countries’ relations could be improved via interparliamentary cooperation, adding that Norway is very interested in offering Serbia expert support in a number of negotiation chapters. He also announced an intensification of Norwegian investments into Serbia and the establishment of Serbia-Norway chamber of commerce in Belgrade.

The officials agreed to work toward strengthening cultural cooperation between the two nations, as well as cooperation in the fields of environmental protection, agricultural innovations, human rights, combating organised crime, etc.