Q: Mr. Ambassador, what is the background for the EEA enlargement negotiations between the EU Commission, Romania and Bulgaria, Norway and the other two EEA EFTA states in Brussels?
Answer:
- Through the EEA Agreement, the three EEA EFTA states - Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - participate fully in the EU Internal Market, without being members of the EU. All EU members also become parties to the EEA Agreement.
- Since 2006 negotiations on the enlargement of the EEA with Romania and Bulgaria have taken place in Brussels between the EU Commission, Romania and Bulgaria and the three EEA countries. On 29 March the parties signed agreed minutes on the main issues related to the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the EEA.
- As Norway’s ambassador to Romania I highly welcome this development which will be very important in Norway’s relations with Romania in the coming years. I have issued a press statement about this on 29 March.
Q: What are the main questions in the negotiations
Answer:
- The most important questions in the negotiations have been the size and structure of the financial contributions from the EEA countries to economic and social development in Romania and Bulgaria and market access issues, in particular for Norwegian and Icelandic fish and fish products.
- The agreement also provides for the same transitional arrangements as in Bulgaria’s and Romania’s accession treaties with the EU, including with regard to employment opportunities
Q: What are the benefits of this enlargement and Romania’s accession to the EEA
Answer:
- Enlargement of the EEA is an important part of European integration. The emphasis is on social and economic development and cohesion among European members of the EU and the EEA, and on the four freedoms of the internal market. From the Norwegian side we want to take our share of bringing European states closer to each other in welfare and standards.
- Romania will benefit from 98,5 million Euros in project assistance in the period up to April 2009. This will be a substantial contribution to prosperity and growth in important sectors such as energy, environment and health.
- The agreement will also make it easier for Romanians to work in Norway. The EEA EFTA States may introduce certain restrictions for workers from Bulgaria and Romania, but conditions are expected to be similar to those in force for nationals from the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004.
- Norway and the EEA states will achieve better access to one of the most dynamic markets in Europe. Market access for export of Norwegian (and Icelandic) fish and fish products is particularly important.
- Romania’s accession to the EEA will make our countries full partners in the EU Internal Market and the financial arrangements will give us a unique opportunity to increase our contacts, cooperation and trade.
Q: What is the size and structure of the two financial arrangements:
Answer:
- The agreement gives Romania and Bulgaria access to EUR 140 million in project assistance through two different financial mechanisms. Norway’s total contribution to Romania and Bulgaria will be EUR 135.8 million for the period 1 January 2007 – 30 April 2009. Iceland and Liechtenstein will contribute with EUR 4.2 million .
- For Romania the total contribution is 98,5 million Euros and Norway contributes 95.5 million of this amount.
- There will be two different financial arrangements: a Bilateral Cooperation Programme (BCP) with Norway and Romania as the only partners and an EEA Financial Mechanism with Romania, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein as partners.
- Nearly half of Norway’s contribution will be channelled through the BCP. This is a new feature compared to the existing EEA financial mechanisms, and a historic opportunity for increased bilateral contacts and cooperation.
Q: What are the differences between the Norwegian Bilateral programme and the EEA Financial Mechanism?
Answer:
- The Norwegian Bilateral Programme is only for Romanian and Norwegian partners whereas Romanian actors can finance projects also with other partners under the EEA mechanism.
- The second difference is with regard to project organisation: Norway will have the focal point for the Norwegian Bilateral Programme, whereas the focal point for the EEA mechanism will be in Romania, probably in the Ministry of Finance.
- Finally, the priority areas will also be different, although there is some overlap.
Q: What are the specifics and the priority areas of the two arrangements?
Answer:
The Norwegian Bilateral Programme
- The EUR 48 million BCP programme with Romania is intended to promote economic development in key sectors in Romania, and to contribute to innovation and technological transfers.
- BCP will be restricted to a few specific sectors where Romania has particular needs and Norway has relevant expertise. There will be a special focus on energy, environment and climate change, quality assurance and health.
- The BCP will be administered by Norway. The projects will be carried out as far as possible through partnerships between Norwegian and Romanian actors. Norwegian and Romanian private and public actors, NGOs and the social partners may apply for support for projects under the BCP.
The EEA Financial Mechanism
- A total of EUR 50.5 million will be channelled through the existing EEA Financial Mechanism to Romania, of which EUR 48.5 million represents Norway’s contribution. Projects in the following areas will be eligible for support: the environment, sustainable development, health and child care, conservation of the European cultural heritage and human resource development.
- This mechanism is open to cooperation projects between Romania and EEA and other partners, including Norway. Applications must be submitted by Romanian actors.
Q: When will the new agreement enter into force?
Answer:
- The agreement will enter into force as soon as the parties have concluded their internal procedures. For Norway, this means that the agreement needs to be approved by the Parliament before it can enter into force.
Q: What are the next steps?
Answer:
- I expect that more detailed discussions between Norway and Romania for the Bilateral Programme, and between Romania and the EEA states for the EEA Financial Mechanism, will be initiated within a short time. These discussions will aim at agreement on the details of the two mechanisms, including administration and organisation of the financial mechanisms, procedures, and more details on the priority areas.