During his visit, Alkalaj met with Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, for a discussion on bilateral cooperation, political developments in BiH and the Western Balkans, as well as international issues such as Afghanistan and the Middle East. Foreign Minister Støre stated that Norway has been, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s continued political stability and economic development. Foreign Minister Støre emphasized that there is a strong relationship to build on for the further development of bilateral relations. The bilateral assistance program will be continued in an effort to assist BiH in achieving its goal of Euro-Atlantic integration.
As NATO Contact Point Embassy in BiH, Norway stands ready to assist BiH in continued defence reform and harmonisation with NATO, with the ultimate goal of membership in NATO. Norway’s Foreign Minister underscored that developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina are important for Norway and that Norway has a stake in continued progress in BiH.
Foreign Minister Støre also informed that Norway is ready to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2010 – 2012. He also announced that the Visa Facilitation Agreement between Norway and BiH will enter into force on 1 May 2009.
Future cooperation
BiHs NATO aspirations were also discussed in Foreign Minister Alkalaj’s meeting with State Secretary in the Norwegian Ministry of defence, Mr Espen Barth Eide. for the discussion emphasized activities in the Partnership for Peace (PfP) program, as well as the Bucharest NATO summits invitation to BiH to participate in Intensified Dialogue (ID) with NATO. The discussions focused on how Norway can support BiH in its efforts to achieve membership in NATO as quickly as realistically possible.
Foreign Minister Alkalaj also met with the acting chairperson of the Norwegian Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Relations, Ms Marit Nybakk (SDP) and committee members Vidar Bjørnstad (SDP) and Morten Høglund (Progress Party). The main topic here was BiHs Euro-Atlantic aspirations and Norway’s support. Foreign Minister Alkalaj thanked for Norwegian assistance for the restoration and refurbishment of the BiH State Parliament building.
Ms Nybakk confirmed that Thorbjørn Jagland, President of the Norwegian Parliament, will visit Sarajevo in May in order to participate at the official ceremony marking completion of restoration of the State Parliament building, for which the Norway has contributed 80% of the expense.
Lecture at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)
A morning lecture on the Euro-Atlantic integration for Bosnia-Herzegovina was given by Minister Alkalaj at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) to a large group of academics, diplomats and journalists. Alkalaj discussed the main foreign policy goals for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2009, emphasizing visa liberalisation, the candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council, NATO accession and EU candidate status.
Foreign Minister Alkalaj stressed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a European country and that Euro-Atlantic integration is an objective that has full support from all political leaders and parties in BiH. Alkalaj also pointed out that that an important element for this process depends on regional cooperation and that Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to furthering the development of cooperation and good relations within the region.