Reducing social and economic disparities within the internal market is important to Norway.

The delegation visited projects in different parts of Romania and in the policy areas Norway has prioritised, such as the justice system (prison reform), social projects (poverty eradication and combatting domestic violence), and projects supportive of a “green shift” in society (environment and climate change).

“We got to see very exciting projects in these areas, in a country that is the second largest recipient of our contributions through the EEA programmes,” said Svein Roald Hansen, head of the delegation. “It has been rewarding and reassuring to see that implementation is taking place effectively and achieving results. We have seen how money allocated by the Storting really does help fight poverty, improve Romanian prison conditions and encourage a green shift.”

The current programme period (2009–2014) will be completed this year and the new period (2014–2021) is being prepared. Romania is one of the first countries whose framework agreement for the new period is already in place.

“The timing of the visit was especially good since many of the projects in the current period are now concluded,” said Mr Hansen. “We therefore received a very good and realistic impression of ​​what the various projects have actually achieved, and what the plans are for the new period.”

Importance of partnership and control

Norway has required that the actors in recipient countries applying for Norwegian funds work with partners in Norway throughout the project period. In this way the Norwegian funds differ in a positive way from other funds.

“This week has shown very clearly that requiring Norwegian partners is important to the projects’ success,” said Mr Hansen. “Other elements are also important – like providing funds from the outset and not only when projects are completed, and effective bureaucracy. It’s our clear impression that the close partnership between Norwegian and Romanian actors is a success factor. We saw this with own own eyes in the city of Ploiesti, where the Salvation Army, with active project leadership from Norway, has quickly built up an impressive project to alleviate poverty.”

Gunnar Gundersen, deputy head of the delegation, said: “During the entire visit we have nonetheless emphasised the need to for effective controls. With more than 900 projects in Romania alone, this is important. We have the impression that the Norwegian funds are being used well, but it is important to stay focused on firm, consistent follow-up from Oslo and Brussels. This is also important for ensuring that the projects are sustainable, and will be able to continue over time without assistance from Norway. Since the Storting’s grants are so large, this is particularly important for us.”

Meetings in the parliament

The delegation also had meetings with colleagues in the Romanian parliament. This was the result of an invitation to the Storing by the Romanian parliament’s Committee on European Affairs.

“This meeting gave us an opportunity to move beyond bilateral issues, like the EEA grants and trade, and to discuss broader European policies and hear what Romanian members of parliament think about current developments in Europe and globally. For the EFTA/EEA delegation it was important to emphasise that the internal market is important to Norway, too, and to speak up against protectionism, populism and corruption. This is crucial if we are to continue benefitting from an open market founded on fundamental principles like freedom of movement,” Mr Hansen said.

The following representatives took part in the visit: Svein Roald Hansen (Labour Party), Gunnar Gundersen (Conservative Party), Marianne Aasen (Labour Party), Geir Toskedal (Christian Democratic Party) and Hans Andreas Limi (Progress Party).

The Storting’s Delegation to the EFTA and EEA Parliamentary Committees.