Event

European Union membership is the key foreign policy goal of the Serbian government. Prime Minister Brnabić states that great progress has been achieved and that Serbia expects the accession process to accelerate in the years to come as a result of the implemented reforms. Serbia’s efforts and determination on the path to the EU membership have been recognized by the EU and the door is open for Serbia – as signaled in the state of the EU address by the EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

As Ms Brnabić underlines, it is important to keep the EU membership perspective open for all the Balkan countries, even when EU is facing big challenges: “The EU is a project for peace and cooperation. This project will be completed only after all the Balkan countries join the European Union. Only this will guarantee lasting peace and prosperity in the region. Connecting the region through trade, infrastructure, digitalization and education will build 18 million strong market attractive to investors, resulting in shared economic prosperity for all.  Aiming for lasting peace and prosperity in the Balkans, Serbia is committed to advancing regional cooperation and paving the European path together with its neighbors.”

PM Ana Brnabić was appointed Prime Minister of Serbia earlier this year. Before this, she obtained a master’s degree (MBA diploma) in marketing from Hull University, UK, and has more than ten years of experience in working with international organisations, foreign investors, local self-governments and the public sector in Serbia. She received numerous awards for development projects she worked on and for the promotion of socially responsible business and tolerance.

Chair of the event is senior adviser at NUPI Karsten Friis.

The seminar is a part of the "Norway meets Europe" seminar series.