Karic welcomed the Norwegian Ambassador, saying that he wished to continue the successful cooperation between the two countries. On the occasion, he thanked the Kingdom of Norway for its support of Serbia’s European integration.

The PFG Head pointed out that the Kingdom of Norway is giving away a great many scholarships and voiced the idea that the Norwegian students of Slavic languages and the students of Scandinavian languages in Serbia could advance cultural cooperation and promote Norwegian culture in Serbia.

Karic also spoke about the 250 million EUR of non-refundable aid for infrastructure and energy the Kingdom of Norway gave to cities in the south of Serbia and its assistance after the 2014 floods in Serbia. He also thanked the Norwegian companies doing business in Serbia for creating more than 1200 jobs.

H.E. Arne Sannes Bjørnstad thanked the PFG Head for the invitation reaffirming Norway’s support of Serbia’s Euro-integration. He then invited the members of the PFG with Norway to the lighting up of Christmas tree decorations in Obrenovac on 25 December as a gesture of the good relations between the two countries. Bjørnstad said that though, compared to last year, Norway has cut the number of projects, project efficiency has increased considerably. The Ambassador said that the Kingdom of Norway would continue to provide socio-economic aid to the couth of Serbia and volunteer medical help to the Balkan military medical forces.

Karic said that the deepening of relations between the two countries is very important for Serbia as the legislative and executive powers wish to implement EU standards as soon as possible. This process would prove important for local self-governments which would, with the help of EU funds, improve their infrastructure and the environment.

Finally, the officials agreed to meet again, this time with the other members of the Parliamentary Friendship Group with Norway present.