Nordic inspiration for Balkan heads of state

04.06.15 | News
Summit 100 Dagfinn Høybråten
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On 1–2 June, the heads of state from the countries that made up the Former Republic of Yugoslavia attended Summit100 in Slovenia, to discuss business co-operation in South-east Europe. Dagfinn Høybråten, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, was the keynote speaker at a debate involving the Balkan presidents. His speech about the importance of trust resonated with the panel.

Nordic co-operation, in particular the high degree of trust between the countries, struck a chord at the summit in Portorož.

“We need to trust each other. Trust is extremely important. There’s simply no way around it,” said Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia, during the debate.

The other presidents agreed that trust was absolutely crucial to further progress in the Balkans, but added that establishing it in the region would take time and require courage.

“My impression, confirmed by the reception here in the Balkans, is that the Nordic Region can serve as a source of inspiration for co-operation in other parts of the world,” said Høybråten.

See also the Secretary General’s blog: The courage to trust

About Summit100

Summit100 is a forum for dialogue and debate between leading figures in South-east Europe. The aim is to improve regional business co-operation. The presidential panel featured the heads of state from Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo and the Serbian Minister of the Economy.

Further details here: SUMMIT100

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