BUSINESS PARTNER
INTERVIEW
H.E. JAN LUNDIN, AMBASSADOR OF SWEDEN TO SERBIA
COOPERATION IS
Inspirational And Rewarding Sweden supports a number of initiatives in the area of reform of the judiciary and the fight against corruption, which is important for the prosperity of Serbia and the region. They complement other projects supported by Nordic cooperation
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ordic Day is a manifestation of Nordic interstate and inter-parliamentary cooperation, which is one of the oldest and most complex models of regional cooperation in the world. We spoke with H.E. Jan Lundin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, about possible parallels and inspiration relevant to the Western Balkan region.
Which dimension of Nordic cooperation would you single out as the most relevant for the Western Balkan region? - I believe the Nordic experience is interesting, since there was a time when our relations were quite difficult. Nordic cooperation has remedied that. Two things come to mind: first, Nordic countries have made great efforts to facilitate life and work in neighbouring Nordic countries for their citizens, including issues such as school access and social security system access for neighbours from other Nordic countries. Only lately has the EU introduced similar solutions, and the “mini Schengen” initiative by Serbia, North Macedonia and Albania should be welcomed in this context; second, Nordic Ministers meet quite regularly, except the foreign ministers. The point made is that our relations should be closer than “foreign” relations, and should focus on everyday societal issues addressed by other ministers in each government. 22
Maybe here there are things that might be institutionalised by the Western Balkans? What are the priorities of Nordic cooperation for 2020 that resonate with your engagement in the region? - In addition to comments made by my Nordic colleagues, I might like to mention the joint project on sustainable food that’s made possible by a grant from the Nordic Council of Ministers, and which will start in the Loznica region in September, addressing sustainability with regard to school meals. We are also preparing some kind of event together with the Nordic Business Alliance in the autumn, at which we will probably present the Nordic Innovation Policy in a specific field. The state of media freedom is still rated the best in Norway, Finland and Sweden. What we can learn from you? Where can we start untangling the situation we have today? - Transparency and the protection of journalists are extremely important in this regard. I believe the institutions and rules for this largely exist in Serbia today, but it takes time to build a culture in which critical and investigative journalism is not only allowed, but encouraged. Sweden shall certainly continue cooperation
