Russian state visit continues

Bilateral trade relations have been central during Russian President Dimitrij Medvedev's visit to Norway. The President says he would like to see increased Norwegian investments in Russia.

Speaking at a  major Norwegian-Russian trade and industry conference in Oslo Monday President Medvedev pointed out that Norway is responsible for only 1.4 per cent of Russia's foreign trade. - The potential is far greater, Medvedev said.

According to NRK he also opened for Norway's Statoil to participate in more projects than just the Sjtokman gas field.

"I am certain that President Medvedev's state visit to Norway will stimulate the further development of Norwegian-Russian trade and industry relations," says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. 

The aim of the trade and industry conference was to demonstrate the broad scope and future possibilities for Norwegian-Russian trade and industry relations. Central topics were energy, fisheries, new technology and industrial cooperation. Central Norwegian and Russian trade and industry leaders here had the opportunity to meet with Stoltenberg and Medvedev.  

Good working conditions are central to the development of Norwegian-Russian trade and industry relations. Russian membership in the WTO and the possibility of a future EFTA trade agreement with Russia will contribute to this. These will be central topics during the visit.  

"A trade agreement between the EFTA countries and Russia has high priority for Norway, and we support Russian membership in the WTO," says Stoltenberg.

Russia is a central trade partner for Norway. In 2009 the total export to and import from Russia reached NOK 12 billion. Seafood represents more than 80 per cent of Norway's export to Russia. Over the last decade an increasing number of Norwegian companies have engaged in relations with Russia, and more than 100 companies now have permanent representation in Russia.

(NRK/Press release)