Relaying congratulations on the election for Assembly Speaker, Kamsvag said that the parliament is the key institution for gaining confidence into state institutions. He said that the parliament lends legitimacy to the work of the government, noting that part of Norway’s donations to Serbia in the previous years had been partly channeled to state institutions. He said that Norway is not an EU member but is part of the common market, and is a member of the Schengen Zone. However, the Norwegian Ambassador endorsed one of Serbia’s proclaimed goals – EU accession.

National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic highly appreciates Norway’s assistance, and according to him, in the economic crisis the country is in, the Serbian Parliament and Government are dedicated to economy, as well as attracting investment, particularly for energy production and agriculture.
Speaker Stefanovic also emphasised the wish that, as part of parliamentary cooperation, both parliaments’ representatives launch an initiative to further economic cooperation. The Norwegian Ambassador believes that the Norwegian Parliament lacks the capacities for that kind of cooperation, but that Norway is interested in further investments into the Serbian market.

Ambassador Kamsvag was particularly interested in the procedure for passing new laws which will be put before the National Assembly, and whether the political scene was interested in changing the election legislation.

The National Assembly Speaker said that there was room for change, reminding the guest that the blank resignation option had been revoked, but that any significant amendment of the election legislation is a long process requiring decisions made by a consensus on the political scene. He informed the Norwegian guest on the new legislation about to be passed, particularly the Public Procurement Law the adoption of which, following a public debate, should prove a significant step in the fight against systemic corruption.