Society, Politics and Development

Ambassador Jan Braathu meets with Chairman of Council of Ministers Nikola Spirić

Fri, 21 May 2010 10:18:02 GMT

Ambassador Jan Braathu met with Chairman Nikola Spirić on Tuesday 18 May, where both parties discussed the NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP) and how to follow up the decisions made at the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tallinn in April.

The Establishment of a Fish Hatchery in Bosanska Krupa

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:49:45 GMT

Over-harvesting of fisheries in the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina has been a problem for several decades, and this persistent harvesting has led to a serious decline in fish population in the country. Due to the increasing awareness of this issue, a project is now being implemented with the aim of rehabilitating local fish stocks. The project aims to achieve this in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner, while at the same time creating local employment and integrating war invalids into the local economy. This program is supported by government officials, resource managers, scientists and the Norwegian government.

Dusko Kondor Award for Civil Courage 2010

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:51:08 GMT

An award ceremony honouring civil courage and commemorating Professor Dusko Kondor for his work on the promotion of human rights and the encouragement of civil courage, took place in Sarajevo on 23 February 2010.

Reconstruction of Sarajevo Cantonal and Municipal Courts Building - Sarajevo Palace of Justice

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:31:28 GMT

A ceremony marking the completion of a four-year long process of reconstruction was held in the Sarajevo Palace of Justice on 22 January 2010. The occasion was marked by speeches by justice officials, ambassadors from the three main donors; Norway, the European Union and Sweden, as well as the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton.

Summer programmes

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:24:08 GMT

Are you interested in spending the summer in Norway while earning study credits? Here is an overview of summer programmes at Norwegian universities and university colleges.

New EEA Financial Mechanism negotiated – Historic cooperation between Norway and the new EU member states

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:34:40 GMT

Today, the EEA/EFTA countries signed an agreement with the EU on new financial contributions. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented: "The new EEA Financial Mechanism gives Norway a historic opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the new EU member states. Many of these countries are struggling with high unemployment and a difficult economic situation. It is very much in Norway’s interest to promote economic and social development in these countries."

Nansen Dialogue Centre opens in Srebrenica

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:22:57 GMT

The Norwegian ambassadors from both Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina participated at the opening of the Nansen Dialogue Centre Srebrenica-Bratunac.

Bosnian apples in Norwegian stores

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:53:56 GMT

20 tons of Bosnian apples have arrived in Stavanger, Norway. The apples are marketed under the brand "AgroNeretva." From December 7th the apples can be found in fruit departments of Mega Co-op grocery stores from Odda to Kristiansand.

The Norwegian Embassy participates in youth project in Sarajevo.

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:23:45 GMT

The organisation ”Infohouse Sarajevo” organised on October 9th a project called ”Volontiraj-kreditiraj”( Volunteer-Credit). The project was arranged in 20 Bosnia and Herzegovina cities under the name “Social Day” and enabled more than 2000 pupils from 100 Bosnian high schools to work one day in firms, institutions and NGOs.

Ambassador Braathu speaks at certification workshop on energy efficiency

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:06:17 GMT

Ambassador Braathu gave the opening speech at a certification workshop for the Norwegian government-funded program on energy auditing of buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Norway donates equipment worth 127.000 KM for destruction of surplus ammunition

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:03:57 GMT

The Norwegian Embassy has funded the acquisition of equipment that will increase the capacity of the military munitions destruction facility i Doboj by 40%.

Barack Obama awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:18:28 GMT

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009 is to be awarded to President Barack Obama for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.

Norwegian Embassy visits Ljubinje and Trebinje

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:09:58 GMT

Ambassador Mr. Jan Braathu visited the municipalities of Ljubinje and Trebinje on the 7th of September during a one day trip to Hercegovina.

Ambassador Braathu speaks at conference on court transparency and media responsibility

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 10:43:54 GMT

Ambassador Braathu held his welcome speech at the Regional Conference on Court Transparency and Media Responsibility, organized by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) in Sarajevo.

Conference on the cost and benefit of Bosnian accession to NATO

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:47:42 GMT

The Centre for Security Studies together with the Department for International Development, DFID, from the United Kingdom organised a conference yesterday on the cost and benefit of Bosnian accession to NATO in Sarajevo.

Celebrating 60 years of NATO

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:51:28 GMT

On the 9th July the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) celebrated it’s 60th anniversary.

Visit of NATO’s Secretary General

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:53:12 GMT

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer visited on the 16th July Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of his farewell visit before the former Danish Prime Minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, takes over as NATO’s new secretary general.

Conference of Parliamentary Bodies for oversight of intelligence security services

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:17:43 GMT

The Ambassador, Jan Braathu, gave a speech on yesterday's Conference of Parliamentary Bodies for oversight of intelligence security services in Southeast Europe.

Visit to the Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:33:00 GMT

Together with the International Organization for Migration in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives from the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands visited the Reception Centre for Irregular Migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Presentation of Quarterly Corruption Perceptions

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:31:58 GMT

Transparency International presented the Quarterly Corruption Perceptions Research in Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 29th April 2009, where the Norwegian Ambassador gave a speech and comments on the issue.

Conference on Stolen Vehicle Crime

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:33:56 GMT

The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), with the Southeast Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA), organised the 5th Bled Conference on Stolen Vehicle Crime in Sarajevo to strengthen regional efforts in fighting such crime in South East Europe.

EUFOR’s School Competition Award Ceremony

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:31:30 GMT

Over 3200 works submitted and 500 primary and secondary schools from Bosnia and Herzegovina involved could only result in success for EUFOR’s school competition 2008/2009.

New activity classroom ready for use in Stolac

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:20:36 GMT

With support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the Embassy Fund, a new classroom for after school activities and multithnic purpose was opened in Stolac.

Discussions on NATO issues in Banja Luka

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:32:05 GMT

Round Table on NATO/PfP Issues at AFBIH Support Command in Banja Luka.

International Conference on Education for Lasting Peace

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:31:18 GMT

The role of education as means of lasting peace gathered top politicians, organisations and experts in Sarajevo’s Parliament at Save the Children’s conference, organised together with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Ambassador meets with Mayor of Jajce

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:23 GMT

During a short visit to Jajce, the Ambassador met with the city Mayor Nisvet Hrnjic.

GARIWO- Education towards Civil Courage

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:39 GMT

GARIWO is in the preliminary phase of the creation of the non- governmental Centre for Civil Courage (CCC).

European faith leaders conference on Cluster Munitions

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:40 GMT

Faith leaders from across Europe gathered in Sarajevo for a conference on cluster munitions Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 October in Radon Plaza.

The Ambassador Braathu in SOS- Kinderdorf Sarajevo

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:36 GMT

1949 First SOS Children's Villages association founded in Austria and first SOS Children's Village built in Imst, Austria, by Hermann Gmeiner. Today SOS Children's Villages is active in 132 countries and territories worldwide. SOS- Kinderdorf in BiH consists of two SOS- villages; in Sarajevo and in Gracanica, 1 social center Hermann Gmeiner, 5 youth facilities and several kindergartens. T...

The Human Rights House Network

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:29 GMT

Sarajevo was the host of this years workshop, conference and annual network meeting for The Human Rights House Network. The meeting included participants from 16 countries from across the world. Those present had the opportunity to listen about the work of Human Rights House worldwide.

Initiating the process of reconciliation in the Dayton Triangle

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:19 GMT

Centre for peace and democracy development from Belgrade, organised a three day seminar in Sarajevo with the aim to gather a generation of young political leaders from the region, and train them to conduct the processes of reconciliation within their own organisations and communities to promote dialogue, cooperation and collaboration. Among the participents were several university professors fr...

NATO enlargement

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:26 GMT

Following the decision taken at the NATO summit in Bucharest, it was decided today in the Council of State to request the consent of the Storting to invite Albania and Croatia to join NATO.

New multimedia room in Srebrenica

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:12:28 GMT

On September 15, the inhabitants of Srebrenica welcomed with joy the new mulitmedia room at the National library of Srebrenica.

Masters’ Program in Gender Studies(2008-2010), University of Sarajevo

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:23 GMT

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Norwegian Government in Sarajevo are proud to support the MA Program in Gender Studies at Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studes (CIPS).

Public meeting on NATO held in Livno (BiH)

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:31 GMT

For the past three years NATO headquarters (HQ) in Sarajevo has successfully promoted NATO issues in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) at universities all around the country. This year NATO HQ is promoting its work in BiH and encouraging the Bosnian people to take an active part in the debates on NATO issues on the local level. For that purpose, a city hall forum was organised in Livno on 03. June 2...

Støre welcomes the arrest of Karadžić

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:24 GMT

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre (Norwegian Labour Party) welcomes the news that the suspect for war crimes, former President, Bosnian Serb, Radovan Karadžić is behind bars.

Ethnic segregation in schools in Bosnia-Herzegovina

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:21 GMT

More than twelve years after the signing the Dayton peace agreement Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) is facing a serious problem of segregation within the educational system. This is one of the reasons why the Norwegian government is supporting different organisations and projects that work towards ethnical integration in schools.

Association Alumni of the Center for Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies: Publication of "An introduction to Human Rights"

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:12:32 GMT

The Norwegian Embassy has supported the publication of the book "An introduction to Human Rights" written by Neven Andjelic.

“Freedom of Expression - Missing in Action?”

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:38 GMT

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, MR. Jonas Gahr Støre, invited journalists and other organisations and activists who are promoting freedom of expression to a debate on strengthening one of the most important human rights in the modern world. In order to strengthen and protect freedom of expression, it is essential that journalist and other human rights activists are protected. The importance of the subject is also a topic at the present Global Inter – Media Dialogue in Bali.

4th Regional Conference on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:28 GMT

Care International North West Balkans, in cooperation with local partner organizations, held a conference on “Legal and social status of domestic victims of trafficking”. Over one hundred government and NGO representatives from the whole region participated at the seminar in Sarajevo – 26 March 2008.

"Dusko Kondor" Civil Courage Award

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:38 GMT

Professor Dusko Kondor was attacked and killed in his home in Bijelina on February 22, 2007. Now he is the symbol of civil courage in BiH because of his unrelenting efforts to promote human rights and civil courage, irregardless of obstruction and threats.

Norwegian People`s Aid (NPA) in Brcko District, Novalici

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:31 GMT

The NPA Mine Action Reconstruction Programme in Bosnia and Hercegovina (BiH) started contributing to lay the necessary preconditions for return and sustainable living conditions in the community of Novalici during 1996. To date, NPA has made a huge difference for the return progress and demined over 23.000 sqm on four locations within community in just one year.

The Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Jan Braathu visits Trebinje

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:53 GMT

24 january the Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Jan Braathu visited Trebinje, where he spoke at the 8th municipal meeting where representatives from all 63 municuipalities in Republika Srpska were represented.

Norway Supports Investigation and Prosecution of War Crimes Cases in Srebrenica

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:44 GMT

Ambassador of Norway to Bosnia and Herzegovina, His Excellency Mr. Jan Braathu, on Monday, 21 January 2008 joined Chief Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Marinko Jurcevic, and Registrar of the Prosecutor’s Office, Ms. Dubravka Piotrovski, in announcing that the government of Norway has provided EUR 200 000 (NOK 1 600 000) for the Office of the State Prosecutor of Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the investigation and prosecution of war crimes cases in Srebrenica.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported the Strengthening of Independent, Professional and Sustainable Justice Institutions at the State Level in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:03 GMT

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has supported Office of The Registrar in BiH with the equivalent of NOK 3.000.000 in EUR, (approximately EUR 370,000).

The Norwegian Ambassador, Jan Braathu, visits the towns of Sokolac and Pale.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:45 GMT

On Friday 21. September 2007 the Norwegian Ambassador, Mr. Jan Braathu, visited the towns of Sokolac and Pale. The ambassador met with Ms. Gordana Vukuvic who is the daughter of the founder of the Association for Norwegian- Serbian friendship, as well as taking a look at the newly opened branch of the Association in Pale. The Ambassador also had a meeting with the Mayor of Pale.

Sarajevo hosts Norwegian regional meeting on the Western Balkans, 9 – 11 September.

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:26 GMT

This year the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held its annual regional meeting on the Western Balkans where east meet west, namely in Sarajevo.

The Bosnian Book of Dead

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:52 GMT

The Research and Documentation Centre (RDC) has since 2004 documented human losses during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 21 June 2007 they presented the results of their work.

Human losses 1991 – 95: Presentation by RDC

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:48 GMT

The Research and Documentation Center (RDC) has since 2004 registered human losses during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 21 June 2007 they will present the results of their work.

Photo exhibition – Landmines: A disaster we can prevent

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:43 GMT

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Ottawa Convention, The Embassy of Canada, in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) has organised a photo exhibition by the Australian photographer John Rodsted, entitled “Halfway – Bosnia a Decade After” .

Official Inauguration of Upper & Middle Vrbas Water Project

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:47 GMT

As part of the official inauguration of the Norwegian financed Upper & Middle Vrbas Water Project, Norway’s Ambassador in Sarajevo, Jan Braathu, opened 25 April 2007 a new water supply system in Donji Vakuf.

Renovation of the façade of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:51 GMT

9 March 2007, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway and the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding renovation of the façade of the building which houses the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina was signed in the building of Joint Institutions, Trg BiH 1.

Støre opens Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:14:41 GMT

Jonas Gahr Støre, the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, opened Thursday 22 February the Oslo Conference on Cluster Munitions.

NATO Contact Point Embassy

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:50 GMT

Norway has assumed the responsibility as NATO Contact Point Embassy (CPE) in BiH, succeeding the Republic of Greece.

Signing of a Joint Financing Arrangement

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:46 GMT

A Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) was signed 2 February with the aim to increase the efficiancy of the financial support to the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Press Release

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:13:51 GMT

The Norwegian Government donates Euros 490 000 for the renovation of the District Court of East Sarajevo. A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 11:00 hours.