Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has met with Norwegian Ambassador Arne Bjørnstad. They have talked about Serbia’s EU accession, Enlargement Strategy, bilateral cooperation and other important topics.
Jadranka Joksimović has expressed her gratitude for the support and assistance that Norway has provided to Serbia, both in the EU accession process and in the entire reform process - especially with regard to chapters 23 and 24. She has expressed her expectation that this trend will also continue in the future.
The Minister of European Integration has said that, since 2008, Norway has allocated more than EUR 100 million in grants for numerous projects and development assistance. The assistance is primarily intended for internal development of the country, sustainable European integration process, and for facing various global challenges, both during the accession period and when Serbia becomes part of the EU.
Jadranka Joksimović has noted that in this way, in parallel with the progress in European integration, ground is being laid for Serbia to become a country that will not only be a receiver of assistance but also a country that will transfer its knowledge and experience to others.
“Serbia has been Norway’s friend and important partner for many years”, said Ambassador Bjørnstad. He has assessed that the reforms that are being implemented produce a positive effect, emphasising that Norway, despite not being an EU member, will continue to promote Serbia’s progress and its European path.
Norway has published a call for project proposals for grants for the Western Balkans for 2018, which, in addition to bilateral cooperation programmes, now includes regional and cross-border initiatives, Ambassador Bjørnstad has stated. Furthermore, Serbia can, in cooperation with another two EU members with which it has an established cross-border cooperation, submit a project proposal to be financed from EEA funds and Norwegian grants for regional cooperation, Ambassador Bjørnstad has added.
What has been particularly emphasised is the future cooperation with regard to local and regional development which would specifically target the most underdeveloped municipalities, especially those in border regions.
Joksimović and Bjørnstad have confirmed satisfaction with the level of bilateral relations and pointed out that there is always space for their further enhancement.
Source: Tanjug
