Foreword in a Czech brochure on the EEC Grants

Foreword by Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a Czech brochure on the EEC Grants. See pdf-version of the brochure

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When we put pen to paper on the renewed EEA Agreement in 2004, we entered a new phase of our relationship with the Czech Republic, then a new member of the Union. Henceforth, we would both be part of the common European market and thus share a partnership of a kind our two countries had never previously enjoyed in our history.

We also embarked on a process of close cooperation through Norway’s contribution to the reduction of social and economic disparities within the EEA of which the Czech Republic receives 110 mill Euros from 2004-2009.

I am very happy to say that we have enjoyed the very best co-operation with the Czech Republic in organising, overseeing and implementing the EEA and Norway Grants.

The result is a wide array of projects and programs in several important sectors. The restoration of historical buildings and the development of health care for children in the Czech Republic have been areas of particular priority.

Not least, the financial mechanisms have resulted in many new contacts and cooperation between Norwegian and Czech institutions and organisations.

I am convinced that these relations will be to our common advantage as we continue to build on them in the future.