Norwegian EU-House opened by Crown Prince Haakon
EU welcomed Norway to be member of the Union
Ararat News –Publishing (ANP) - Roni ALASOR – 24/1/2009 / Brussels – The 36 years old Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, opened last Thursday the fully renovated Norway House in the capital of the European Union Brussels. The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering welcomed Norway to become number 28 of the Union.
The 7500 m2 big and 13 floors high Norway House in Rue Archimède 15-17 in Robert Schuman Square, cost the Norwegian state around 120 million Norwegian Krons (more then 13 million Euro). Now the non-EU member Norway is just 32 meters far from the office of the President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso. More then 6000 visitors are expected yearly to visit the Norway House where more then 60 Norwegian diplomats and EU related bureaucrats will work in the House.
During the opening ceremony of the Norway House, both Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and State Secretary Elisabeth Walaas from Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlined that the new Norway House will play a more constructive role in tightening the relations between Norway and EU. They warmly welcomed the EU bureaucrats who were largely present on the occasion of the opening ceremony.
“Although Norway is not a member of the EU, we have a close partnership with the EU through the Agreement on the European Economic Area and related agreements. We contribute to social and economic cohesion in Europe, to the single market, and to foreign and security policy initiatives. We work side by side with our EU partners in Afghanistan, the Balkans and the Middle East”, pointed Wallas.
The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering welcomed Norway to be number 28 of the members of EU countries. Pöttering praised Norway for its expertise, but also for its humanitarian engagement in the poorest countries where it gives nearly 1 percent of its national income for development. - EU has more to learn from Norway, he added.
Even if Norway is not member of the EU, it has very closer and good economical and trade cooperation with the Union and it plays a constructive humanitarian role in developing regions, as well as in East Europe.
EU warmly welcomed the Crown Prince Haakon
Photo Service : European Parliament / European Commission - During the visit of the Crown Prince Haakon of Norway to Brussels, he was warmly welcomed by the EU high representatives. Both the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso met Crown Prince Haakon and they discussed different issues. Crown Prince was careful to not be involved in the controversial political issue for the Norwegian membership in the EU and was more interested to talk to Pöttering and Barroso about the economical development and the humanitarian aid to the poor countries. The Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit have been involved especially in the development of African countries and AIDS problems for long time.
The new Norway House is home for the Norwegian Embassy and Mission of Norway to the EU, but also home for Norwegian big companies and regional representatives as well as the regional offices of West Norway and South Norway, the Norwegian Customs and Excise Service, Hydro, Orkla, Statkraft and EBL (Norwegian Electricity Industry Association
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