the bilateral relations between norway and bulgaria – past, present and future the royal norwegian...

The bilateral relations between Norway and Bulgaria – past, present and future

The Royal Norwegian Embassy13th February 2012, Sofia University ”St. Kliment Ohridski”

2 Ambassade, sted, tid og avsender

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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]

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