BELGRADE, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Norway doubled its 2018 financial aid to Serbia and the surrounding region, reaffirming the country's dedication to promoting European integration, rule of law and cooperation in the Western Balkans, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg said here on Monday.
Solberg and her Serbian counterpart Ana Brnabic held a meeting here to discuss Serbia's progress towards European Union (EU) membership, the country's role in regional stability, as well as the economic cooperation between Serbia and Norway, the government said.
"We are pleased to see that Serbia took over the leading role in promoting stability and peace in the region. Norway is obliged towards the Western Balkans to double the financial assistance to the countries of the region as they still have a need for higher stability, economic development and the rule of law," Solberg explained, adding that Norway would continue promoting regional cooperation.
Solberg said the two countries have "good partner relations in politics, economy and culture," and her country fully supported Serbia's government in its EU membership efforts, despite Norway not being a member itself.
Brnabic pointed out that Norway was one of the biggest bilateral donors to Serbia and has in the past 15 years invested 216 million euros (251 million U.S. dollars) through development aid. Moreover, in 2018, Norway doubled the amount of financial assistance -- from 3.1 million euros in 2017, to the current 6.3 million euros.
"Half of these financial means are intended for the economic development of the poorest parts of Serbia," she said, adding that Norway and Serbia were jointly working on projects concerning rule of law, media, and the gray (informal) economy in Serbia.
Brnabic said that the two discussed regional stability, especially possibilities for compromise and normalization of relations between Serbia and authorities in its southern province of Kosovo and Metohija, which unilaterally seceded in 2008.
"In a political sense, Norway, which is not an EU member country, is a strong proponent of the European integration of Serbia. Norway provides us both with great support and technical assistance," Brnabic said.
However, she said that despite the gradual increase of economic cooperation between the two countries, it still remained at "a moderate level", as last year the trade exchange amounted to 58.2 million euros, an all-time record, and a 7-percent increase compared to 2016.
