Estonia and Norway

22.07.2010

The Kingdom of Norway recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure on 5 February 1921. Norway never recognised the illegal annexation of the Baltic States by the Soviet Union and diplomatic relations were re-established on 27 August 1991.

In the autumn of 1991, Norway opened its Embassy in Tallinn and Brit Løvseth arrived as the first Ambassador. Current Ambassador Stein Vegard Hagen presented his credentials to President Arnold Rüütel in November 2005.

In February 1994, Estonia opened its Embassy in Oslo under the direction of Chargé d'Affaires a.i. Tiit Naber. From 1997 to 2000, Enno Turmen worked as the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. in Oslo, while Ambassador Jüri Kahn resided in Copenhagen. Since 2000, the Estonia Ambassador has resided in Oslo. From 2000-2004, the Estonian Ambassador in Norway was Peep Jahilo, from September 2004 until July 2008 the Ambassador was Juhan Haravee. Estonian Ambassador Arti Hilpus presented his credentials to King Harald V in January 2009.

Estonia is also represented in Norway by four Honorary Consuls - Trond Bernhard Brekke in Trondheim, Per Trygve Kongsnes in Tromsø, Reidar Maaseide in Stavanger and Eivind Lund in Krisiansand.

Visits

Bilateral Relations

Relations between Estonia and Norway are characterised by close co-operation in the areas of economy, culture and defence. The traditionally good relations with Norway are reflected by, among other things, the considerable volume of bilateral trade. Since the 1990s, Norwegian investments into Estonia have been growing steadily. The making of bilateral contacts was simplified by the direct flight between Tallinn and Oslo opened in August 2003.

At the international level Norway has repeatedly expressed its support for Estonia’s aspirations to accede to NATO and the EU. Norway assisted Estonia in forming the Estonian Membership Action Plan. Norway was the first country that ratified the Protocol of the Accession of Estonia to NATO in April 2003.

Estonia's relations with Norway in the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, as well as in the co-operation of the Baltic and Nordic countries, are notably extensive and diverse. The relations have become even closer and more dynamic after Estonia's accession to the European Union and to the Nordic Investment Bank (01.01.2005).

Contacts between the local governments are traditionally very close and function as direct contacts. There is a long-term tie for example between Pärnu and Buskerud counties, ties have been concluded between Østfold and Rapla counties and several others. There is well functioning co-operation between the Association of Municipalities, the Association of Estonian Cities and the Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities.

Defence Co-operation

In 2000, for the first time also the Estonian-Norwegian military co-operation plan was drafted. In the co-operation plan in the field of defence concluded with Norway for 2006, the key element was  co-operation between the Air Forces, primarily in receiving training in Norway. Co-operation was  continued also in traditional areas, such as joint trainings, logistics and defence policy consultations. The final bilateral defence-related co-operation plan was signed in 2006, after that the co-operation is taking place rather through contacts at the working level. Bilateral political-military consultations are held regularly.

Formerly, Norway has rendered assistance in the coordinating and elaborating of several co-operation projects in the field of defence (BALTDEFCOL, BALTNET, BALTRON). The first Estonian peacekeepers got their training in Norway’s peacekeeping company. The peacekeepers also got their baptism of fire in the ranks of Norway’s peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. In defence related co-operation, further on greater emphasis will be laid on the relations inside the NATO alliance. The key-words in the NATO context are the continuation of active co-operation, modernisation and if possible sharing as well as harmonising positions before major meetings.

Practical defence related co-operation with Norway is going on also in NB8 format (Baltic countries + Nordic countries). The countries also jointly participate in the EU Nordic Battle Group.

The Estonian Defence Attaché in Norway (also in Denmark and Belgium) since the summer of 2007 is Lieutenant Colonel Andres Kütt, who resides in Copenhagen. Norway’s Defence Attaché in Estonia (also in Latvia and Lithuania) is Colonel Svein Ruderaas, who resides in Riga.

Norwegian Aid to Estonia

Norway has provided foreign aid to Central and East European countries since 1992.. Among major aid projects to Estonia, one could list the supporting of the construction of a new terminal of Tallinn Airport, environmental co-operation with AS Eesti Veevärk and a project of the Nordic countries coordinated by the UN development program for the integration of Russian-speaking population into Estonian society. In the framework of bilateral co-operation the conservation of the Sillamäe radioactive waste depository has been carried out.

Since 1 May 2004, Estonia and other countries which had acceded to the EU have had an opportunity in the framework of the EEA agreement (European Economic Area) and the Norwegian financial instrument to apply for project based support within five years. The volume of funds foreseen for Estonia was 30 million EUR within a 5-year implementation period (2004-2009). Most preferred were projects in such fields as the environment, cultural heritage, health and regional policy.

Economic Relations

AGREEMENTS

Estonia and Norway have signed all major economic agreements: Agreement on the Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments, Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and on Capital, Air Services Agreement and Agreement concerning International Road Transport.

As of 1 May 2004, Estonia-Norway trade relations are regulated by the European Economic Area Agreement.

In 1930, Estonia acceded to the Spitzbergen agreement, which is currently in force.

TRADE

Norway is an essential export nation for Estonia, and our trade balance with them is strongly positive. The value of exports in 2009 was 206 million euros, which placed Norway in 9th place among Estonia’s export partners (export decreased by 26.4% compared to 2008). The value of imports was 94.4 million EEK. In terms of imports, Norway was 17th among Estonia’s partners. The trade balance was positive for Estonia by 112 million euros. Total trade turnover was reduced by 15.1% compared to 2008.

Major export articles in 2009:

• Furniture  - 24,8%
• Timber and timber products - 18,5%
• Metals and metal products - 12,7%
• Machinery and equipment - 11,8%
• Means of transport - 9,0%

Major import articles in 2009:

• Mineral products - 54,7%
• Machinery and equipment - 13,4%
• Metals and metal products - 8,2%

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

INVESTMENTS

According to data from the Bank of Estonia, the value of Norwegian investments has had an almost constant rising trend. As of 31 December 2009, Norwegian investments with a value of 378 million euros had been made in Estonia, which makes up 3.4% of the total value of investments made in Estonia. This placed Norway in 4th place among foreign investors in Estonia.

Direct investments from Norway are primarily made in real estate and business ventures, financial intermediation, the manufacturing industry, wholesale and retail trade, and the transport, inventory and connection industry.
The companies in Estonia with the greatest Norwegian involvement are Eesti Merelaevandus AS, Eesti Statoil AS, Viru-Nigula Windfarm OÜ, Kawe Group AS, Tallinor OÜ, Pakri Windfarm OÜ, Vanaküla Windfarm OÜ, Tooma Windfarm OÜ, Selvaag Eesti OÜ, Estonian Media AS. In April of 2010, the Estonia Business Registry counted 452 companies in Estonia with Norwegian involvement.

Among countries where Estonia has direct investments, Norway ranks 18th, with investments totalling 14 million euros as of 31 December 2010 (0.3% of total direct investments).

TOURISM

In 2008 and 2009, the number of tourists visiting from Norway decreased a bit after the growth trend that had lasted for a few years. During 2009, the services of Estonian accommodation enterprises were used by 41,000 Norwegians (total number of overnight stays 108 207), in 2008 the number of Norwegians was 47,000 (overnight stays 125 683). Within the last year, accordingly, the number of accommodated tourists and the number of overnight stays of Norwegians in Estonia decreased by 14%. Norwegians made up nearly 2% of all the foreign tourists that spent the night in Estonia.

Culture and Education

Worth mentioning among Estonia’s and Norway’s close communication in the sphere of culture are the reciprocal visits and frequent performances of singing choirs, dance ensembles, delegations of friendship towns and counties.

In Norway, The Norwegian Estonian Society functions, gathering Norwegians interested in Estonia. The regular publication of the society is Estlands-nytt. Estonians living in Norway meet at the Estonian Society in Norway. The Estonian Norwegian Society functioning in Estonia unites in its turn Estonians deeply interested in Norway and the Norwegian culture.

MUSIC, THEATRE, FILM

Starting in 2007, annual Norwegian Days have taken place in Tallinn, organised by the Norwegian Embassy. Within the framework of the event there are exhibits, concerts, seminars, charity events, introductions to Norwegian food and customs, and much more.

Famous performers such as pianist Sigurd Slåttebrekk, violinist Henning Kraggerud, Trio Mediaeval, the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bergen Symphony Orchestra have come from Norway to give concerts in Estonia. In 2009 the Norwegian ethnic music ensemble GamaltNymalt and trumpet player Tine Thing Helseth performed in Estonia. Norwegian musicians are traditional participants in Jazzkaar, among them Terje Rypdal, Jan Garbarek and Nils Petter Molvær. In 2010 the Norwegian Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak also came to perform in Estonia.

The young Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes has performed on world stages under the baton of conductor Neeme Järvi. In the summer of 2008, the orchestra of the Norwegian Royal Opera, conducted by Neeme Järvi, gave a concert of primarily pieces by Richard Strauss.

Estonia introduces itself in Norway through many cultural events, including the celebration of Independence Day.

Estonian musicians have also performed at various festivals in Norway. In May 2010 Tõnis Mägi gave a concert in Stavanger.

Ballet dancer and choreographer Teet Kask worked for many years in the Norwegian National Ballet.

2007 was the 100th anniversary of Norwegian composer Edward Grieg’s death, so the year was celebrated as the year of Grieg all over the world, including in Estonia. In January, the Grieg Trio from Norway performed in the Estonia Concert Hall, and in March Grieg’s choir compositions were introduced in many concerts by the Estonian National Men’s Choir, conducted by Norwegian conductor Høgset.

Many Norwegian films have been on the schedule during the Black Nights Film Festival. In 2004, Priit Pärn was awarded the lifetime achievement prize at the Fredrikstad Animation Festival.

The film festival Fall of the Wall, which took place in Oslo in the fall of 2009, including J. and M. Tusty’s film “The Singing Revolution”.

EDUCATION, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE

Norway has supported the construction of Tartu University’s language building, and supports the instruction of Norwegian language and literature at the University as well. Norwegian can also be taken as a minor subject at Tallinn University. A co-operation agreement has been signed between Tartu University’s history and philosophy department and Oslo University’s language department.

In 2005, the reprint of Norwegian-Estonian/Estonian-Norwegian Dictionary published in 1998 appeared. Translations from Estonian into Norwegian have mainly been made by Turid Farbregd, a Norwegian estophile living and working in Finland. For example the translations of works by Jaan Kross and Viivi Luik have been made by Turid Farbregd. Those projects have been financially supported by Norway. A great number of examples of the Norwegian literature (Henrik Ibsen, Sigrid Undset) have been translated by Elvi Lumet, who as the first Estonian received the Norwegian State Award, St. Olaf’s Medal.

In 2006, the international year of Ibsen was celebrated in Estonia with an exhibit dedicated to the topics of Ibsen’s works at the National Library.
In the fall of 2007, an exhibit dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the studio Eesti Nukufilm was seen in Oslo and Frederikstad.