PM Krivokapić spoke with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway

Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić met today with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Montenegro, based in Belgrade, H.E. Jørn Eugene Gjelstad.

Prime Minister Krivokapić informed the Ambassador about the epidemiological situation in Montenegro, saying that it is currently at a satisfactory level. Krivokapić thanked Norway for its help in the fight against COVID-19, expressing hope that Norway will remove Montenegro from the list of high-risk areas, especially having in mind the upcoming tourist season, which is expected to achieve revenue of 65 percent compared to the record 2019.

I would like to strengthen the Norwegian programme related to the "Dr. Simo Miloševic" Institute, which gave exceptional results in the field of health tourism and rehabilitation, the Prime Minister pointed out.

The Prime Minister said that we should work on improving cooperation in the field of tourism through the reconstruction of existing hotel and tourist facilities and the construction of new facilities, then the organisation of tourist forums, and the establishment of richer cooperation between national tourist organisations. Prime Minister Krivokapić expressed satisfaction with the cooperation in the field of economy and welcomed the evident interest of Norwegian and Montenegrin businesspeople in strengthening economic relations, especially having in mind the interest of Norwegian investors in investing in renewable energy, environmental protection, tourism and innovation.

Norway has so far been the most generous and selfless NATO partner of Montenegro. I hope that the investments and donations that Norway made within the Ministry of Defence will expand to other areas, and that we will enrich our bilateral cooperation through other ministries, Krivokapić said.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, H.E. Gjelstad thanked PM Krivokapić for the warm welcome and praised the strong bilateral relations. He conveyed the readiness of Norway to continue to fully support Montenegro on its path to the European Union.

You belong to Western politics, said Ambassador Gjelstad, supporting the work of the current Government so far.

Ambassador Gjelstad emphasised that Norway is ready to help the Government of Montenegro in its intention to support projects that will lead to the diversification of the Montenegrin economy, which would reduce and completely eliminate the difference in economic development between north and south, encourage innovative ideas and create new jobs.

The Norwegian Ambassador supported all efforts of the Montenegrin Government to improve the rule of law, establish social justice and achieve civil equality.