Norway will provide the EU around NOK 3 billion (EUR 347 million) per year to reduce social and economic disparities and promote cooperation in Europe in the period 2009–2014, a 22 per cent increase over the previous period.(Photo: Foreign Minister Støre)

This is the result of an agreement signed between the EEA/EFTA countries and 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.”

The scope of the mechanism is now closer to Norway’s priorities, with focus on the environment, climate change, renewable energy and tripartite cooperation.  The EEA Grants will be available to the 12 most recent EU members plus Portugal, Greece and Spain, while the Norway Grants will be earmarked for the 12 newest members. The priority sectors will be environment and climate, health, research, education and culture, decent work and civil society, the judiciary and human resources.

“The funding from Norway is targeted at areas where we can make a difference and that are in line with Norwegian and European interests. We intend to maintain a close dialogue with relevant Norwegian authorities on the development of the new programmes,” said Mr Støre, and he encouraged Norwegian actors to become involved in projects with partners in beneficiary countries.

Around a quarter of the funds is to be used for renewed efforts to address environmental issues and climate change over the five-year period. In addition to NOK 2,6 billion (EUR 297 million) to address general environmental issues and climate change, around NOK 1.4 billion (EUR 160 million) is to be used for various efforts to develop and promote carbon capture and storage.  

“We are entering into a critical phase in the global climate efforts, and we are pleased to have reached agreement with the EU on giving priority to climate change in the EEA cooperation with new member states,” said Mr Støre.

An important new element in the agreement is the focus on decent work.  A substantial sum will also be allocated for further efforts to strengthen civil society and for the health and research sectors.

The agreement on the new EEA Financial Mechanism follows on from the previous agreement, which ran from 2004 to 2009.

“The negotiations have been long and challenging. The demand originally put forward by the EU has been reduced to a sum that is acceptable, and we have agreed on how our contribution is to be targeted  in order to ensure good results for both Norway and the EU,” said Mr Støre.

Agreement was also reached with the EU on further improving market access for fish in the period 2009–2014. The duty-free tariff quotas for fish that were negotiated in 2004 and 2007 will be continued. Norway has also negotiated an increase in the duty-free quotas for shrimp and processed herring.

(NRK/Press release)

Rolleiv Solholm