In connection with the enlargement of the EEA on 1 May this year, Norway will be contributing almost NOK 1.9 billion a year to the ten new EU member states, Greece, Spain and Portugal over the period from 1 May 2004 to 30 April 2009. The purpose of the mechanisms is to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the European Economic Area.

Stine Lundin Andresen (45) was appointed director of the newly established joint secretariat in Brussels, which is to administer both mechanisms.

Ms Lundin Andresen is Norwegian and has a degree in economics. She has been working for more than 17 years in the field of international project financing in developing countries and the new EU member states.

She is currently working as an independent economist for the World Conservation Union in Switzerland and for the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, which is part of the World Bank Group. Ms Lundin Andresen has been working for the World Bank Group for the past 14 years. She will take up her new duties by the end of June.

More information is available at www.europaportalen.no