"The award of the first Abel Prize is a major event for mathematics in particular and for science in general. My congratulations go to Professor em. Jean Pierre Serre of Collège de France in Paris", Norway’s Prime Minister, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, said here on Thursday.

The Prime Minister’s comment came after the announcement here earlier today that the French mathematician Jean Pierre Serre has become the first to win the prize named after Norway’s 19 ^th>-century mathematician Nels Henrik Abel.

"The Abel Prize is a recognition of Professor Serre’s outstanding research in the field of mathematics, and will be of great inspiration to researchers and students all over the world", Mr. Bondevik said.

"The ambition of the Norwegian Government is that the Abel Prize may contribute to increase the interest in mathematics and science in Norway", Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik said.