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The bilateral relations between Norway and Bulgaria – past, present and future
The Royal Norwegian Embassy13th February 2012, Sofia University ”St. Kliment Ohridski”
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A historical retrospect
Intensive contacts in the Middle Ages. Vikings served in the Byzantine army. Got inspiration from local people.
Harald Hardråde (1015–1066) took part in suppressing the uprising of Peter Delyan against the Byzantine rule.
Legend has it that Harald took with him a Bulgarian princess to Norway. Oslo was named after her.
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A historical retrospect
Diplomatic relations were established as early as 1906 at a consulate level.
Diplomatic relations were severed during and after WWII, resumed in 1956, raised to an embassy level in 1964.
1970 – the Bulgarian Embassy in Oslo was opened.
28th November 2001 – Ambassador Rolf Baltzersen presented his credentials. The Norwegian Embassy in Sofia was opened.
2004 – Bulgaria joins NATO.
2007 – Bulgaria joins the EU and the EEA.
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Fridtjof Nansen and Bulgarian history
Thanks to the Nansen committees and the Nansen passes thousands of displaced Bulgarians from Western Thracia came back to their homeland after the Greek-Turkish War of 1919-1922.
Russian and Armenian refugees settled in Bulgaria after WWI.
Important to maintain Nansen’s values.
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Norwegian – Bulgarian relations today The European Economic Area (EEA)
•EU: •27 countries;•500 mill. citizens
•EEA/EFTA: •3 countries;•5 mill. citizens
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EEA and Norway Grants to date
• EEA/EFTA countries’ contribution to reducing economic and social disparities in Europe
• €1.3 billion made available to 15 beneficiary states in Central and Southern Europe in 2004-2009
• 1 250 projects, programmes and funds were awarded grants
• Implemented in close co-operation between the beneficiary states and the donor states
• More than 1 in 5 supported projects are partnership projects with entities from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
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EEA grants in Bulgaria 2007-2009
• Common goal of reducing social and economic disparities in the enlarged European Economic Area.
• € 21.5 million totally available• 42 projects have been selected for funding
Priority sectors : • Protection of the environment – € 4.1 mill.• Human resource development-
€ 3.1 mill.• Health and childcare - € 4.6 mill.• Conservation of cultural heritage - € 5
mill• NGO fund - € 2 mill. • Scholarship fund - € 600 000.
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Norway grants in Bulgaria 2007-2009
• Promotes economic growth and sustainable development in Bulgaria
• € 20 million totally available• 22 partnership projects have been selected for funding
Priority sectors:• Energy efficiency - € 6.4 mill.
• Schengen aquis - € 5.3 mill.
• Sustainable production - € 4.6 mill.
• Environment - € 1.2 mill.
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Funding under the EEA and Norway GrantsNew financial period
A new financial period of EEA and Norway Grants is agreed –Bulgaria will receive 126,6 mln. euro for 2009-14
A programme approach is introduced – 15 thematic programmes will be developed
The preparation and the implementation of each programme is assigned to a Programme Operator
A designated fund at national level will encourage the bilateral relations within priority areas
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EEA and Norway Grants 2009-14 – next steps
Preparation of programme proposals and sending them for approval by the EEA Grants secretariat in Brussels (FMO) – Feb. 2012
Approval of the programme proposals – June 2012
Launching of the new programmes – July/August 2012
www.eeagrants.org
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Sofia Arsenal –
Museum of Contemporary
Art
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Restoration of the Shumen Fortress
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National Library ”St.Cyril and Methodius” Digitalizing and preserving the written legacy of
Bulgaria
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Cooperation within NATO
Sharing the same goals
Partners in Afghanistan
Euro-Atlantic integration for all Western Balkan countries
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Cultural cooperation
Translation of Norwegian literature
into Bulgarian – Nesbø, Gaarder,
Egeland. Norwegian classics like Ibsen,
Hamsun, Bjørnson, Undset are well-
known in Bulgaria.
Concerts with contemporary
Norwegian music – Garbarek, Molvær,
Skouen. Grieg is very popular.
Exhibitions of contemporary
Norwegian art and design.
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Trade relations between Norway and Bulgaria
The trade relations between both countries date back to the early 19th century.
The first trade agreement was signed in 1924.
Agreement for cooperation in the field of tourism signed in 1981.
Agreement for double taxation avoidance signed in 1989.
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Trade relations nowadays
Slightly increasingturnover between thecountries, hit by the crisisduring the last years
Huge potential for futureactivities
Total amount of Norwegianinvestments in Bulgaria forthe period 1998 – 2010 -111.5 mln EUR.
Bilateral trade during the last 10 years
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Source: Bulgarian National Statistic Institute
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Trade relations between Norway and BulgariaExports and imports
Main commodity groups in the import from Norway in 2010 Merchandise and clothes, used Frozen fish Audio or analogous carriers Paper and cardboards Machines and devices for
operation with stones, earth,
ore and other mineral materials Fillet and other fish meat (fresh, chilled or frozen)
Main commodity groups in the export to Norway in 2010 Wrapping bags and sacks Yarns Plastic transport packaging Sunflower seeds
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The Norwegian residence – an example of contemporary Norwegian architecture
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Contact information
Royal Norwegian EmbassySofia26 – 30 Bacho Kiro Str.Phone: 02/981 11 06E-mail: [email protected]