Slovakia and Norway continue successful cooperation on Climate and Environment

Kurilla visited Haraldrud Recycling station and Klemetsrud incineration plant and met representatives of the Municipality of Oslo and from the waste sector.

– Norway and Slovakia have co-operated successfully in the field of Climate Adaptation under the European Economic Area Grants in the period 2009-2014. We look forward to continued co-operation on Climate and Environment, said Lars Andreas Lunde when he met Norbert Kurilla in Oslo.

– Norwegian experience on climate policy, electric transport and waste management is valuable for Slovakia, added Norbert Kurilla.

The visit followed up political contact during Slovakia's EU Presidency in Bratislava last year. The Minister for Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, held a speech at the conference "Transition to Green Economy" last autumn. State Secretary Lars Andreas Lunde participated at the informal EU meeting last summer in Bratislava.

Slovakia's ambition is to become a hub for circular economy in Central Europe. Slovakia is working to improve the resource efficiency of the economy and will release a joint report with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) this summer.

European Economic Area Grants have helped Slovakia to achieve good results in the field of Climate Adaptation in the previous period from 2009 to 2014. Norwegian and Slovakian institutions have co-operated and implemented pilot projects both in rural areas and cities. 60 schools have been involved in awareness-raising and a number of young people have participated in practical adaptation projects.