The Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, Prof. Dr Slavica Djukic Dejanovic, in visit to the Kingdom of Norway, met with her host Norwegian Parliament Speaker Dag Terje Andersen.
In a cordial and friendly meeting the officials stressed that the bilateral relations between Serbia and Norway are on a very high level, particularly on the political plane and that there is room for more intense economic cooperation. Reciprocal visits of the highest level contributed to the favourable relations between Serbia and Norway. The ratification of the Serbia-EFTA Agreement and its coming into force provides a good basis to expand economic cooperation and both trade and investment, primarily in the spheres of energy production and telecommunication.
Djukic Dejanovic emphasised the importance of Norwegian development assistance, adding that Serbia is interested in seeing that it continues so as to ensure further economic reform and strengthen economic cooperation.
In order to further parliamentary cooperation, the National Assembly Speaker suggested organising reciprocal visits of their respective foreign affairs committees, European integration committees, culture committees and defense committees, as well as friendship groups, in the shortest term.
Norwegian Parliament Speaker Dag Terje Andersen said that he was impressed by the work and results of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. He believes Serbia to be on a good way to full EU membership. He emphasised the importance of the two countries’ parliamentary cooperation and urged that it be expanded and improved. Andersen declared military cooperation very important, drawing special attention to the participation of Serbian and Norwegian physicians in peace missions.
Djukic Dejanovic thanked Norway for supporting Serbia's, and the whole of the Western Balkans', EU accession. The perspectives for the continued development of bilateral relations were deemed more than favourable. The RS National Assembly Speaker was particularly grateful to the Norwegian people for the help they provided to Serbian World War Two prisoners detained in the concentration camps in Norway. The Serbian people never forgot the Norwegian people’s selfless assistance that saved numerous lives, said Djukic Dejanovic. The Norwegian Government’s traditional assistance to the Municipality of Gornji Milanovac where the house of Serbo-Norwegian friendship is situated, is particularly important in that respect.
The Norwegian Parliament Speaker was pleased to accept the National Assembly Speaker’s invitation to visit Serbia.
