site.btaNorwegian PM Solberg Visits Bulgaria, Conferswith PM, President

Sofia, December 13 (BTA) - Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov conferred here on Wednesday with visiting Norwegian counterpart Erma Solberg, who described Bulgaria as an important partner in Europe, the European Economic Area and NATO.

"Norway is eagerly awaiting the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council and agrees with its priorities, especially in the area of migration and the Western Balkans' EU integration," Solberg told journalists in the Council of Ministers' building.

"Bilateral relations have been enhanced regarding the implementation of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism," she said, adding that people in both countries can benefit from what is being done. Solberg noted that agreements worth some 210 million euro have been signed for the new programming period 2014-2020, covering areas such as innovations, climate, social inclusion, justice, among others. "The European social dimension is important to all of us," she said, specifying that the two countries' labour inspectorates have enhanced their cooperation since Bulgarian citizens who come to work in Norway must not be exploited. Solberg voiced concern over Brexit. "We are glad that Bulgaria is assuming the EU Council Presidency during an important period when numerous issues related to the EU borders are to be solved," the Norwegian PM said.

"We see than our European colleagues appreciate what Bulgaria is trying to do to help the Balkans," Borissov told journalists. He said Bulgaria is doing everything necessary to push forward the topic of the Balkans' EU accession and make sure people in the region can feel the EU's embrace. "Otherwise, the population is ageing, populist parties are on the rise, and the region lays itself open to great powers' influence," Borissov said. "Norway is also interested in what Bulgaria is doing, and thankfully it supports this country's policy concerning the Balkans and migration processes, as well as NATO-Turkey relations," the Bulgarian head of government said. "Norway is helping us with 210 million euro, which is equivalent to close to half a billion leva," he said, adding that work under these programmes is underway.

"There is a large untapped potential for boosting trade and economic cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway," Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said when he conferred with Solberg later in the day.

"Our country is learning from Oslo's experience and best practices in the field of protection of labour and social policy," the head of State pointed out, quoted u his Press Secretariat.

The two discussed the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency priorities and agreed that the views of all European Economic Area Member States should be taken into consideration when the EU Council decisions are prepared within the framework of negotiations in the first half of 2018.

The Norwegian head of government backed Bulgaria's position on identifying the Western Balkans' European integration as a key priority of the Presidency, the press release said.

Radev and Solberg discussed current issues on the European agenda, ways to improve energy efficiency and energy diversification in Europe, and the need of a single migration policy.

The President thanked for Norway's support for Bulgaria's bid to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and confirmed this country's readiness to be a full-fledged and reliable OECD member.