During the working visit to Oslo on September 3, 2008, Mr. Valeriu Ostalep, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova had a meeting with his Norwegian counterpart, Mr. Raymond Johansen, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway.
The addressed subjects included Moldovan-Norwegian relations in various areas, including those of political, trade-economic, social and humanitarian cooperation within international organizations.
The subject related to the European aspirations of the Republic of Moldova focused mainly on the idea of the special position of Norway, which it holds in relation to the European Union countries. Although not an EU member state, Norway has a rich experience of cooperation with the Community area and of promotion of its state interests in its dialogue with the European Union. In context, the Norwegian official reiterated his country's support for the efforts of the Republic of Moldova in harmonization to European standards and strengthening of relations with the European Union.
Also, security issues, especially in the light of recent events in the region, have been discussed. Concerning the issue of legal bilateral relations, it has been agreed to renew priority agreements drafts under negotiation. The possibilities for extending the existing legal framework were also assessed. Mr. Johansen was invited to visit the Republic of Moldova in the near future.
The Moldovan official has also met with other Norwegians decision makers. Thus, during the meeting of the Moldovan delegation with the Director General for Consular Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, was finalized the common position on the Moldovan-Norwegian draft Agreement on visa facilitation, achieving the proper adjustment of the mentioned Agreement provisions. The premises of the negotiated key issues stemmed from the strategic interest of the Republic of Moldova to get in perspective the liberalization of visa regime with all European countries.
The agenda of the bilateral consultations also included meetings with the leadership of the Ministry of Labor and Social Integration of Norway and the Norwegian Department for Migration. Mr. V. Ostalep has informed the interlocutors about the objectives of the Moldovan Government in the field of labor migration, particularly in the view of the tasks drawn by the Mobility Partnership between Moldova and the EU. The parties have agreed to intensify the Moldovan-Norwegian cooperation in order to improve the national capacity to manage migration flows and implementation of new programs.
During its stay in Oslo, Moldovan delegation visited the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities, opportunity which allowed the leadership of the institution to present to the Moldovan guests its experience in reforming local public administration in Norway and has declared readiness to support the reforms currently held in Moldova in this field.
In the context of the planned visit to Chisinau of the Norwegian State Secretary, it is envisaged to sign the Agreement on visa facilitation regime for citizens of the Republic of Moldova and to make official the accession of Norway to the Common Visa Center.
