MoU on use of EEA funds to be signed in Estonia on 17 November

The Memorandum of understanding on the use of funds under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism will be signed in Tallinn on 17 November. Over a five-year period, EUR 22.7 million will be made available for projects in Estonia. State Secretary, Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Traavik will sign the agreement on behalf of the Norwegian government at the seminar held to launch the mechanism in Estonia.

In connection with the enlargement of the EEA, Norway will be contributing a total of EUR 1.134 billion to the new EU member states, plus Greece, Portugal and Spain, up until 2009, with a view to promoting social and economic cohesion in Europe. About 90 per cent will go to the new member states, and 60 per cent of this will go to countries in Norway’s immediate neighbourhood, i.e. Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

The MoUs will be signed at a seminar in Tallinn where actors from Norway and Estonia will exchange views on various areas that might be eligible for support under the financial mechanisms. The seminar, which will be attended by 200 participants, will focus particularly on regional development, health, childcare and the environment/sustainable development.

“The relationship between Estonia and Norway can be further strengthened through the cooperation on the financial mechanisms. There has been a great interest for participation in this seminar both on the part of Norwegian actors and their Estonian partners. This is a good basis to benefit from the opportunities that the mechanisms provide.” said Mr Traavik.

Press contact: Anne Lene Sandsten, tel.: 90 85 81 14

More information on the EEA financial mechanisms is available at: www.europaportalen.no