Parliamentary elections in Serbia

Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre underscored that the participation of almost two thirds of registered voters in yesterday’s parliamentary elections in Serbia was a solid vote of confidence in the country’s democratic forces.

- In spite of the many challenges Serbia is facing, the preliminary election results seem to indicate there is a good basis for continuing the process towards closer European cooperation that has been going on for the last few years,” said the Foreign Minister.

- Norway will continue to provide extensive assistance to the democratic reform processes and institution building in Serbia. It is encouraging that the democratic bloc seems to have won a solid majority in the Parliament, he said.

- Serbia is facing many demanding challenges in the time ahead, not least with regard to the future of Kosovo. It is therefore important that an effective government is put in place quickly, Foreign Minister Støre added.