Foreign Minister Støre has talks with Polish Minister for Regional Development Gęsicka

“Norway is interested in closer ties with Poland, as it is an important ally and partner in Europe. We can use the new EEA funds to expand our cooperation in the fields of regional policy, the environment, health care, border control and research. This provides a unique opportunity for Norwegian companies and organisations to develop contacts with actors in Poland,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Mr Støre had talks today with Polish Minister for Regional Development Grażyna Gęsicka, who is in Oslo in connection with the Conference on Europe hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A Polish fund for NGOs of approximately NOK 330 million is one of the measures that will be launched in the course of 2006. Norway will be providing most of the funding.

In the period from 2004 to 2009, Norway will provide approximately NOK 4.5 billion through the EEA Financial Mechanisms for the implementation of cooperation projects to promote economic and social development in Poland. The Mechanisms will also help to strengthen the bilateral relations between Norway and Poland. The Financial Mechanisms will also contribute to social cohesion in Europe by reducing social and regional disparities in the EEA area. Poland is by far the largest partner in the Mechanisms.

The priority sectors in the Financial Mechanisms include protection of the environment, Schengen/justice and home affairs, the cultural heritage, health and regional cooperation. There is considerable potential for close cooperation between Poland and Norway in these sectors. The funds provided by Norway will supplement EU allocations in the sense that they will also be used to financed projects outside the scope of EU programmes.

The first open call for proposals in Poland, which will make NOK 1.4 billion available for projects, attracted nearly 1400 applications. This indicates the great interest in the EEA funds in Poland. The applications are now being considered with a view to selecting the best projects.

The establishment of a Norwegian-Polish research fund is also expected to enhance research cooperation and strengthen the ties between Norway and Poland. A scholarship and training fund is also being planned.

Cross-border cooperation between neighbouring countries is another priority sector, and there have already been preliminary talks concerning the possibility of cross-border cooperation with Ukraine.