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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Norway impressed with Serbia’s treatment of refugees

Belgrade, 19 September 2015

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic stated today that he is proud of the fact that the Serbian people is not acting xenophobic and the government is doing a responsible job when it comes to refugees from the Middle East.

Arne Sannes Bjornstad, left, and Aleksandar Vucic at today's press conference

Vucic said at a press conference, which was preceded by a meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Serbia Arne Sannes Bjornstad, that Serbia is the first country to register the refugees, providing them with medical care and accommodation.

He stated that he expects the refugees will stay longer in Serbia in the coming period due to the winter that is arriving, so our country will do everything to prepare reception centres.

The Prime Minister thanked Bjornstad for the assistance of the government of Norway, which has once again shown that it is a true and great friend of Serbia, recalling that this country has donated €5 million after last year's floods.

Today Norway has earmarked €3.28 million for several non-governmental organisations, and another €3.25 million to help the state budget, since Serbia has operating costs for institutions that provide daily assistance to refugees.

These funds will be used in accordance with requirements of the Commissariat for Refugees, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, local self-governments and civil society organisations.

According to Vucic, the additional €3.25 million will be made available to international organisations, such as the Red Cross, the UNHCR and the other, which will assist Serbia during the crisis.

The Prime Minister particularly expressed gratitude to the government of Norway on the recognition that Serbia has acted as a responsible country in solving the current migrant crisis.

Bjornstad pointed out that Norway has recognised the importance of responding to the refugee crisis, and added that in this country, they are impressed with the way the people and the government of Serbia are dealing with the problem of refugees.

The priority of the government of Norway will be a proper accommodation of refugees, so next week the reconstruction of a reception centre in Presevo will begin, he said and announced that the Ministry of the Interior will soon get additional equipment for the registration of refugees, and a mobile hospital donated by Norway to Serbia will be put into operation.