Agreement with Greece on the allocation of the EEA and Norway Grants for 2009–2014

Norway and Greece have agreed on the allocation of the EEA and Norway Grants for the period 2009–2014. The asylum area is a priority sector, and will receive NOK 152 million over the five-year period.

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “We are pleased to have rapidly reached agreement with Greece on the allocation of the Grants.” In addition to the funds allocated to the asylum area, NOK 152 million has been allocated to environmental projects, NOK 50 million to civil society and NOK 27 million to research.

“It has been a priority for Norway to contribute to a significant strengthening of the Greek asylum system, and we are pleased that this will now be possible,” said Mr Støre.

Talks will be held between various centres of expertise in both countries in October, after which the Greek and Norwegian authorities will meet to discuss the details of the agreement.

On 28 July this year, Norway signed an agreement with the EU on the EEA and Norway Grants for the period 2009–2014. During this period, Norway will provide a total of EUR 1 734.8 million for efforts to reduce economic and social disparities in Europe. The Grants are designed to strengthen cooperation with the newest member countries, and funding is provided to the 12 most recent EU members in addition to Greece, Portugal and Spain.

The funds are to be used to support projects in the fields of environmental protection and climate change, green industry innovation, health, research and scholarship, cultural heritage, decent work, civil society, and justice and home affairs. About a quarter of the funds are to be used to step up efforts on environment and climate change. An important new element in the agreement is the focus on decent work and tripartite dialogue.

More information about the EEA and Norway Grants can be found on the European Portal: www.europaportalen.no  and www.eeagrants.org.