First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia Ivica Dacic met in Oslo with his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway, Mr. Børge Brende.

In the official meeting between Ministers Dacic and Brende it was jointly noted that the stability of the Western Balkans was essential for the development of all countries in the region, but also for the overall stability of the European continent.

The interlocutors were agreed on the assessment that the Republic of Serbia, owing to the responsible policy it pursued and the stability in the operation of its institutions, represented the most powerful lever for the preservation of peace and prosperity in our region.

The Norwegian side stressed its full support to the European integration process of the Western Balkans, in the framework of which it expected substantial commitment to the reform processes and constructive cooperation among all countries of the region. Furthermore, Norway called for a clearly defined and active commitment to the EU enlargement policy in the Western Balkans.

Minister Brende underlined that the talks confirmed Norway's commitment to cooperation with the Western Balkans region as well, and also that the WB region would figure on the list of its foreign policy priorities, announcing redoubling of its financial support to projects concerning democratization, human rights and gender equality, freedom of the media and other elements of a rule-of-law state.

The Head of Norwegian diplomacy pointed out that Norway saw the Republic of Serbia as "partner plus" in the Western Balkans region.