History has forged a bond of trust between Norway and Serbia. Today, as Norway celebrates its national day, EUpravo Zato discusses the significance of this occasion with H.E. Kristin Melsom, Norway’s ambassador to Serbia. She shares how Norway marks the day and what it means to her country. The ambassador also reflected on the current relations between the two nations and the potential for advancing business cooperation and sustainable development, offering examples of Norwegian practices that could benefit Serbia.
How does Norway celebrate its Constitution Day, and what does it symbolise for the Norwegian people?
Our Constitution Day is a day dedicated to children. It is a day filled with joy and pride as we celebrate our Constitution, which was the first step toward Norway becoming an independent nation. We celebrate freedom, unity, independence, national identity, and heritage, as well as peace and democratic values. The day is observed nationwide and is highly inclusive. There are no military parades. Instead, we have children’s parades with brass bands and numerous flags.
The streets are filled with people dressed in their finest attire, watching the parades. Some wear traditional folk costumes if they own them. We eat plenty of ice cream, sausages, and cakes. Games, concerts, and gatherings of family and friends contribute to the festive atmosphere. It is a time for Norwegians to relax, celebrate, and enjoy the company of loved ones.
How would you assess the current relations between Norway and Serbia, and what do you see as the key elements of this bilateral relationship?
The bilateral relations between Norway and Serbia are excellent. The key element is that they are built on trust and mutual respect. Serbia and Norway share a similar history from the Second World War when thousands of Yugoslav prisoners, mostly Serbs, were sent to camps in Norway during the occupation.
This created a special bond between our peoples, as local Norwegians helped thousands of prisoners escape from the camps. This shared history forged a relationship of trust between our two nations and peoples, which we still benefit from today. We even have the Serbian-Norwegian Friendship House in Gornji Milanovac as a tribute to our shared history. Norway supports Serbia’s European ambitions and offers assistance in areas where we have expertise.
What are the most prominent areas of cooperation between Norway and Serbia, and where do you see potential for further progress?
Key elements of our bilateral relations today include energy cooperation, where Norway hopes to contribute to energy reform in Serbia, making electricity more accessible and greener for most Serbians.
Norway also provides significant development assistance, both through bilateral and regional programs, and I would like to highlight the substantial support we provide to UN agencies, which greatly benefits Serbia.
Norway is also the largest bilateral donor to the EU’s Western Balkans Investment Framework. Personally, I believe there is room for improvement in business cooperation. I hope Norwegian companies will increasingly view Serbia as an attractive market. Many companies I’ve spoken to say they would find the market more appealing if there were better regional cooperation in the Western Balkans.
Norway is known for its advanced efforts in sustainable development and environmental protection. What can Serbia learn from Norwegian experience in these areas?
One example I’d like to highlight is Norway’s strong protection of natural resources. In addition to 47 national parks, we have more than 3,200 other protected areas. Together, these make up over 17 per cent of Norway’s land. This is what makes Norwegian nature unique. As pristine wilderness comes under increasing pressure, it is vital to protect it as much as possible—not only to preserve biodiversity and reduce carbon footprints but also for the recreation and relaxation of our population.
Another example is the concept of smart cities. In this field, we have expertise that could benefit Serbian municipalities on their journey to provide the best services for their citizens. Involving citizens in all matters that directly affect them is essential. A bottom-up approach, as opposed to a top-down one, could help engage people more in these activities.
How does the Norwegian Embassy support cultural exchange between Norway and Serbia, and which projects or events have been particularly successful in promoting cultural diversity?
We strive to identify projects that can enhance contact and cooperation between cultural institutions in Norway and Serbia. Creating meeting points for artists is essential for closer collaboration and cultural exchange.
I would particularly like to highlight the work of the Nordic Institute at the Faculty of Philology. They are excellent ambassadors who promote Norwegian literature, culture, and history through their undergraduate and master’s programmes.
The embassy has also promoted the Serbian music scene at receptions and other events organised at the residence of the Norwegian ambassador, featuring local artists such as the Vasil Hadžimanov Band, Vladimir Nikolov Undectet, and the young and talented saxophonist Rastko Obradović. Soon, we will host a concert at the residence featuring the very talented Serbian harpist Zoja Đorđević, who is studying in Norway with the help of a Norwegian scholarship. I am very much looking forward to her performance!