Elsbeth Sande Tronstad,secrétaire d’État, ministère des Affaires étrangères (Norvège)

State Secretary Elsbeth Tronstad’s speech at an Oslo visit by the EU transport attachés.
Dear Transport Attachés – dear colleagues,

Norway has longstanding, good and close ties with the EU. We cooperate closely on a broad range of policy areas through a number of agreements. Among these, the European Economic Area – The EEA – Agreement and the Schengen Association Agreement are the two most important.

As a result of this, major and minor developments as well as various political initiatives at European level will have direct consequences also for us. At the same time, in many cases they allow Norway to take active part in the European cooperation and to provide input in key policy areas.

European cooperation is more important than ever. [Yes, I will touch upon Brexit in a few minutes] It is crucial that governments work closely together to meet the common challenges we face – such as creating new jobs and growth, fulfil the climate commitments, to deal with the migration crisis and combat violent extremism.

The present Norwegian Government has argued this point strongly ever since it came to power in 2013. Our strategy for Norway’s cooperation with the EU contains three key messages:

We will focus on policy areas where enhanced cooperation at European level represents added value, both for Norway and for the EU.

We will seek to engage in the European debate as early as possible whenever new policies and rules of importance to us are being developed.

We will pursue an open and inclusive European policy in cooperation with a range of stakeholders in the Norwegian society.

Our EU strategy then sets out the main priorities for the period 2014–2017: Higher quality research and education – an ambitious climate and energy policy – a global approach to migration – and enhanced security.

The strategy is being implemented through annual work programmes. And an English version of the 2016 programme is available for further reading.

The EEA Agreement

The European Single Market is at the very heart of our cooperation with the EU. Through the EEA Agreement, Norway enjoys the benefits of the free movement of persons, goods, services and capital. It guarantees non-discrimination and equal rules and competition throughout the area of 31 countries and 500 million people.

For Norway, it gives our companies access to the Single Market and ensures that they compete on the same terms as companies in EU countries. At the same time, it offers the same benefits to EU companies and citizens entering Norway. This is crucial, as around 80 per cent of our export go to the EU and more than 60 per cent of Norway’s imports come from EU countries.

I would also like to underline that the EEA Agreement covers cooperation in other important areas, such as research and development, education, social policy, the environment, consumer protection, tourism and culture.

On the other hand – the EEA Agreement does not comprise the EU agricultural and fisheries policies, the customs union nor the monetary union. Apart from this, all areas of the Single Market are part of the EEA with one horizontal exemption: The geographical scope is limited to Norwegian land territory, internal waters and territorial waters. The EEA does not apply to the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf nor the high seas.
How does it work?

The EEA Agreement is dynamic in its character. It is continuously updated and amended to incorporate new Single Market legislation in order to maintain homogeneity across the European Economic Area.

When it comes to the transport sector, most ofthe EU legislation will be implemented in Norwegian legislation. Thus, your work is highly relevant to us – and I believe that we in many cases can be a valuable partner for you as well.

However, not being a member of the Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein do not participate in the decision-making process. But we may give input during the preparatory phase, when the European Commission draws up proposals for new Single Market (EU/EEA) legislation that is to be incorporated into the Agreement.

This includes the right to participate in expert groups and committees under the European Commission. A considerable number of Norwegian civil servants participate in these on a regular basis. We also have around 50 seconded national experts in the Commission. One of them (Espen Rindedal) is in fact working in DG Mobility and Transport on road safety.

I would also like to underline that Norway participates in a number of EU programs through provisions in the EEA Agreement or on the basis of bilateral agreements with the EU. The largest of them being the Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, Galileo and Copernicus. We contribute to the budget of these programs on equal footing with EU member states and thus have the same rights and obligations.

We also participate in a number of EU agencies, among these the European Aviation Safety Agency and the European Union Agency for Railways.

A stable and predictable framework

For more than 20 years the EEA Agreement has broadened and deepened the cooperation between the EU and Norway. All parties agree that it has been mutually beneficial and has functioned well.

The Agreement has provided a stable and predictable framework for our economic relations with EU member states and has made an important contribution to Norway’s economy and development. It has had great significance for the business sector and for working life in Norway.

My Government welcomes the EU’s strategy to further develop and deepen the single market. We also support the agenda to create a real Digital Single Market which can boost the European economy.

We also fully support the Commission’s aim and the work it is doing to avoid over-regulation and unnecessary burdens by systematically reviewing existing legislation and ensuring that future legislation is made simpler, better and more user-friendly.

This is well in line with my Government’s slogan “Improve, Simplify and Renew” with special focus on how to make our public sector more effective and our legislation more “business-friendly”, especially in relation to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Together we have been able to safeguard the EEA Agreement and to find mutually acceptable solutions to challenges and difficulties that have emerged over the years. I am confident that this will also be the case in the future.
A short comment on Brexit

All this being said, let me add a few words on the outcome of the referendum in the United Kingdom last week.
The British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. We respect their decision.

Norway’s relations with the EU will not be directly affected the “Brexit”. Our agreements with the EU stand firm, and we believe them to be mutually beneficial as I have just mentioned.

The relations between Norway and the UK have deep roots and are wide-ranging. The UK will continue to be among our closest partners. Norway’s trade with the UK will be regulated by the EEA Agreement until the country has formally withdrawn from the EU.

We will follow the negotiations between the EU and UK closely. It is in our interest that the parties find solutions that will ensure a liable framework for economic relations between the UK and the rest of Europe.
Norway and The Arctic

Let me then shift focus – to the High North. In today’s volatile world, the Arctic remains a region of cooperation, stability, respect for international law and sustainable management of resources. The overall goal of Norway’s Arctic policy is to ensure that it stays that way.

Norway has for centuries maintained a strong presence in the North. We are, and have always been, dependent upon income generated in the North.

Some key facts illustrate this:

10 per cent of Norway’s population live north of the Arctic Circle

80 per cent of our sea areas are located north of the circle

There are excellent universities in the northern parts of Norway. The city of Tromsø is a centre for expertise on polar issues

The Arctic is a region abundant with resources such as energy, minerals and fish. At the same time, the Arctic is a highly vulnerable natural environment, where the impacts of climate change can be clearly observed. Climate change represents a challenge for us all, but it is also opening up new opportunities for economic activity in the Arctic.

This is the backdrop for the increased interest in the Arctic.

The EU is no exception. The Commission and the European External Action Service issued their Joint Communication on an integrated EU policy for the Arctic in April, the third communication since the Arctic was put on the EU agenda a decade ago.

Norway has during the years had a constructive dialogue with the EU on issues of relevance to the Arctic and has welcomed the Joint Communication. We share the view that better knowledge of the Arctic is fundamental to respond adequately to the challenges.

The EU contributes to the work of the Arctic Council through participation in its working groups. The EU is also a major contributor to Arctic research. As a partner to Horizon 2020, Norway will encourage the EU to strengthen research on Arctic issues.

Norway and Russia are neighbours in the High North. Through its actions – in Ukraine and elsewhere – Russia has contributed to a greater sense of insecurity in Europe. Together with the rest of Europe we are standing firm in defence of international law and international rules. At the same time, we continue cooperation with Russia in areas where we have common interests. These are management of shared fish stocks, environmental protection and nuclear safety, maritime safety including search and rescue at sea, as well as Coast Guard and Border Guard activities more broadly.

The Norwegian Government aims to promote sustainable business development in the north. We have initiated various schemes to enhance trans-border business cooperation, including seed funds to stimulate activity in the north.

We target our efforts at industries with growth potential, like the maritime sector, the seafood industry, the mineral industry, tourism, space technology, and of course the oil and gas and the fisheries sectors. There are huge distances in the European Arctic, and an efficient infrastructure is crucial for economic development.

Thank you so much for interest in Norway and our relations with you on transport policy issues. I am confident that you will enjoy a fruitful dialogue and good discussions with your Norwegian counterparts today and tomorrow. I wish you a pleasant stay in Oslo.
Thank you!

(mfa)

The Central Bank of Norway excluded two oil companies working off the coast of Western Sahara for Morocco, because of the “serious violations of the basic ethical standards,” according to the Bank’s Council of ethics, cited by the news agency Reuters.

Cairn Energy, a company of production and supply of energy based in Edinburgh and the American Kosmos Energy were excluded because of serious violations of the basic ethical standards through their exploration for hydrocarbons off the coast of Western Sahara for the benefit of the Moroccan authorities, said the Council on ethics, calling to exclude them, said the agency.

A decision ratified by the board of directors, the latter relying on the basis of the recommendation of the Council of ethics.

The board of directors is convinced that the exclusion criteria were met, said for its part the Central Bank of Norway.

Western Sahara is Africa’s last colony, occupied since 1975 by Morocco supported by France.

‘We are now seeking to intensify our cooperation with Argentina and Uruguay. The Argentine Government has initiated ambitious economic reforms, which bode well for our future cooperation,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

Mr Brende will visit Argentina on 30 June–1 July. The main purpose of the visit is to strengthen Norway’s political and economic ties with Argentina, and explore opportunities for increasing Norwegian business activities in the country.

During his visit, Mr Brende will have talks with Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Susana Malcorra and Vice President Gabriela Michetti, among others. In addition to current foreign policy issues, topics for discussion will include developments in Latin America, trade policy and investments. Ms Malcorra is one of the candidates for the post of Secretary-General of the UN, and UN matters will also be a key topic for the talks.

Mauricio Macri assumed office as President of Argentina last December, and has in a short space of time initiated far-reaching, market-friendly economic reforms. The Government has lifted currency exchange restrictions, removed import and export duties, shown greater interest in openness in trade policy, taken important steps towards resolving the longstanding debt crisis, and facilitated increased foreign investments.

‘We believe there is potential to increase investments by Norwegian companies in Argentina in the time ahead, and we hope this visit will mark a new start for cooperation between Norway and Argentina,’ said Mr Brende.

Mr Brende will also open a Norwegian–Argentinian energy forum, which will be attended by a range of Norwegian actors. The aim of the forum is to provide a meeting place for representatives of Norwegian companies operating in the Latin America region and their Argentinian counterparts, where they can explore the new opportunities that are now emerging.

Mr Brende will also visit Uruguay on 1–2 July, where he will meet Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa and Minister of Finance Danilo Astori, among others. Discussions will focus on the planned negotiations on a free trade agreement between Efta and the free-trade area Mercosur, as well as cooperation between Norway and Uruguay.

Uruguay is currently a member of the UN Security Council and president of Mercosur, and it will hold the Mercosur presidency until July this year. Uruguay is also playing a leading role in the region when it comes to promoting the rights of sexual minorities (LGBTI people).

‘Uruguay has impressive international rankings in a range of areas and is an important partner in international forums. Norway is very willing to share its experience in areas where Uruguay is seeking closer cooperation with us. In particular, we have noted its interest in the Norwegian model for management of oil and gas resources,’ said Mr Brende.

Schneider-Ammann (left) and Kvirikashvili take in some caffeine before getting down to talks in Bern
(Keystone)

EFTA states Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have signed in Bern a free-trade agreement with Georgia, represented by Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili.

Swiss Economics Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, received Kvirikashvili for an official working visit on Monday. Bilateral talks focused on efforts to promote peace in the Caucasus and Switzerland’s cooperation strategy for the South Caucasus region, a longstanding priority in its development cooperation programme.

The particular focus was on economic development and employment, public services and human security, according to a government statement. Schneider-Ammann said Switzerland would continue its involvement in South Caucasus and Georgia beyond the Cooperation Programme 2013-2016.

He also stressed that Switzerland was ready to support Georgia’s efforts for better relations with Russia. As part of its protecting power mandate, Switzerland has represented the interests of Georgia in Moscow and the interests of Russia in Tbilisi since March 2009.

The delegations also discussed the important role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in trouble spots in the region.
The four EFTA states also opened official free-trade negotiations with Ecuador, which was represented, among others, by Minister for Foreign Trade Juan Carlos Cassinelli.

Further planned talks at the EFTA ministerial conference in Bern concerned ongoing negotiations with India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA): An intergovernmental trade organisation and free trade area. Members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.