Norway and Slovenia make economic pact

Last week saw officials from Slovenia and Norway sign an agreement to distribute funds to promote social and economic development in Slovenia.

The deal will see some EUR 26.9 million sent to Slovenia via Norway Grants and the EEA. In addition to the development of the Slovenian economy, the fund will be put toward strengthening Norwegian-Slovenian bilateral relations, with emphasis going on environmental policies, public health and civil issues.

The document was signed on 10th May by Norwegian State Secretary Erik Lahnstein, as well as officials from Lichtenstein, Iceland and Slovenia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo. Officials said the deal would involve co-operation between Norwegian and Slovenian public agencies in the effort of achieving its goals.
More than 95 percent of the total funds entailed will be provided by Norway, and the deal extends up to January 2012. Forty percent of the sum will go toward public health initiatives, work-life balance efforts and gender equality incentives.

Jonas Gahr Soore, Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs said, “Strategically located in the heart of Europe, Slovenia is a gateway to South Eastern Europe and the Balkans. These new agreements mark an opportunity to really step up co-operation in many areas of mutual interest,” The Norway Post reports.