Launching of FTA negotiations with China

Assistant Minister Qiu, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a pleasure to be here today with Her Excellency Assistant Miniter Qiu. Together we will launch the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the People’s Republic of China and Norway.

The Norwegian Government gives high priority to these negotiations. Today’s ceremony is marking an important event.

China is a major trading partner for Norway, and the trade is increasing. A free trade agreement will ensure China’s position among our greatest trade partners. An agreement will stimulate trade and lead to favourable conditions for the industries in both countries.

After China joined the WTO in December 2001, trade between our two countries has shown remarkable growth. I am certain that for our bilateral trade relations, a Free Trade Agreement will prove to be a similar level of importance. The future of our trade and economic relations is indeed bright.

Norway and China enjoy very good relations covering a broad range of areas, from Polar research and environment to trade, energy, education and social affairs. Our cooperation within the United Nations system is extensive – and expanding.

As was stated in my government’s China Strategy which was presented in 2007, Norway hopes to see a further increase in the range and volume of interaction between our two countries in the years to come.

In March last year his Excellency Premier Wen Jiabao and our Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, agreed during a meeting in Beijing to begin a process which has led to where we are today. The preparation of a Joint Feasibility Study for a possible Free Trade Agreement was started – and successfully completed.

The findings and conclusions of the Joint Study were clear and convincing; A Free Trade Agreement will benefit both countries.

The joint feasibility study is a great starting point for the negotiations that will take place soon, much due to the solid work performed by the delegations. It provides a good and clear indication of what are our priorities, as well as our sensitivities.

I think that the excellent work done by both sides in the Joint Feasibility Study clearly demonstrates that both countries can work together in a most constructive spirit. This positive experience and the willingness to look for mutual beneficial solutions will serve us well in the negotiations ahead.

I am confident that the Sino-Norwegian relations will grow even stronger as we now enter the negotiation stage, and I am quite hopeful that a solid result is achievable.

Who knows, perhaps an agreement might be concluded by the time of the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. An event that I am sure will be as successful, and in its way as exciting, as the Beijing Olympic Games.

It is with great pleasure I will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding to launch negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Norway and China. With this a new chapter of strengthened relations between our countries will be opened.