In the meeting with the President of the Norwegian Parliament, Dag Terje Andersen, Speaker Stefanovic extended gratitude for Norway’s help with the programmes partially related to assistance in the processes necessary for European Union accession. He then stressed the need for closer cooperation between the two parliaments, which has been expressed by Serbia on previous occasions. Stefanovic informed Andersen on the current processes he considers important for the operation of the new parliamentary legislature and which primarily relate to the rule of law, the parliament’s control role of the executive, judiciary reform and freedom of the media. The National Assembly Speaker deemed that Serbia and Norway enjoy excellent cooperation within the Council of Europe and expressed his wish that the practice continues.

The President of the Norwegian Parliament was grateful for the initiative for the meeting and informed Stefanovic that the Norwegian Parliament is not in the practice of creating friendship groups, but mentioned the existence of great interest for Serbia among the Norwegian parliamentarians. Andersen then spoke of Norwegian parliamentary practice which he believes partially applicable in the Serbian Parliament while Stefanovic showed interest in exchanging experiences at the parliamentary level.

National Assembly Speaker Nebojsa Stefanovic concluded that Norway’s support in the decision to conclude the monitoring process at the European Parliament would be very important, informing Mr. Andersen of the progress in all the areas mentioned in the monitoring report of January this year.