Estonia and Norway

15.12.2011

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 after the Second World War some Estonian honorary consulates in Norway continued functioning. 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 Norwegian Ambassador Lise Nicoline Grevstad presented her credentials to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on 17 September 2010.

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 five honorary consuls - Trond Bernhard Brekke in Trondheim, Per Trygve Kongsnes in Tromsø, Reidar and Oscar 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. Currently many different airlines operate direct flights between Tallinn and Oslo.

Bilateral visa freedom between Estonia and Norway has been in effect since 1 May 1997.

At the international level Norway repeatedly expressed its support for Estonia’s aspirations to accede to NATO and the EU. When Estonia was preparing for membership, Norway assisted Estonia in formulating its national action plans for 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 1995 the framework agreement for bilateral defence co-operation between Estonia and Norway was signed. Norway has rendered assistance in the co-ordination and development 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 and, from 1996-1997, their baptism by fire in the ranks of Norway’s peacekeeping forces in Lebanon. After Estonia’s accession to NATO the main focus of defence-related co-operation shifted to co-operation within NATO. Keywords in this context are Norway’s participation in Baltic air policing, co-operation in training, joint training projects, logistics, and defence policy consultations. Bilateral political-military negotiations also take place on a regular basis.

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

The Estonian defence attaché in Norway since August 2010 is Lieutenant Colonel Toomas Peda, 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 supporting for the construction of the new terminal of Tallinn Airport, environmental co-operation with AS Eesti Veevärk, and a project of the Nordic countries co-ordinated by the UN Development Programme for the integration of the 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 that acceded to the EU have had the opportunity within the framework of the EEA agreement (European Economic Area) and the Norwegian financial mechanism to apply for project-based support for 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 (including manor schools), health care, and regional policy.

Financial mechanisms (2009-2014)

On 28 July 2011 a new agreement was signed regarding support from the EEA/Norway, according to which the total support to be given by the EEA and Norway during the five-year period is 1.79 billion euros: within the framework of the EEA, annual support will total 197.7 million euros. The texts of memoranda of mutual understanding and the financial distribution scheme were agreed in May 2011. The sum total of non-repayable support that will be granted to Estonia from the EEA financial mechanism between 2009-2014 is 23 million euros and from the Norway financial mechanism 25.6 million euros, a total of 48.6 million euros. After subtracting the administration costs in the donor countries, the total is 44.995 million euros. The foreign ministers of the countries signed the memoranda on 8 June 2011 in Oslo after the conference “The 20th anniversary of Norway re-establishing diplomatic relations with Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania: A conference on Norway’s relations with the Baltic countries”, which the foreign ministers of Norway and the Baltic states all attended.

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 (EAA).

In 1930, Estonia acceded to the Spitsbergen agreement, which is currently still in force. The agreement states the conditions for the usage of Spitsbergen by the signatories of the agreement.

TRADE

Norway is an essential export nation for Estonia, and our trade balance with them is strongly positive. The value of exports in 2010 was 300 million EUR, which placed Norway in 8th place among Estonia’s export partners (export increased by 45.8% compared to 2009).

The value of imports was 128.5 million EUR, which was 36.1% more than in 2009. In terms of imports, Norway was 15th among Estonia’s partners. The trade balance was positive for Estonia by 171.5 million EUR.

As of the first half of 2011, Norway ranked in 13th place among Estonia’s trade partners. Total trade turnover was 375.7 million euros and the balance was positive for Estonia by 152.9 million euros. Exports totalled 264.3 million euros (10th place) and imports 111.4 million euros (16th place).
 

Estonia-Norway trade 2005-2011 (million EUR):
 

Major export articles in 2011 (first half):

• Other manufactured goods - 25.7%
• Timber and timber products - 18.5%
• Machinery and equipment – 11.7%
• Means of transport – 11%

Major import articles in 2011 (first half):

• Means of transport - 37.9%
• Mineral products - 31.3%
• Machinery and equipment - 12.3%
• Metals and metal products - 3.9%

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

INVESTMENTS

According to data from the Bank of Estonia, as of 31 December 2010 Norwegian investments valuing 357.4 million euros had been made in Estonia, which makes up 2.9% of the total value of investments made in Estonia. This placed Norway in 5th place among foreign investors in Estonia.

Direct investments from Norway are primarily made in wholesale and retail trade (28% of investments), professional, research and technical activity (21.3%), the manufacturing industry (17.1%), the electric and gas sector (16.2%), and financial and insurance activity (8.7%).

The companies in Estonia with the greatest Norwegian involvement are Eesti Merelaevandus AS, Eesti Statoil AS, Kalev Chocolate Factory, Viru-Nigula Windfarm OÜ, Aseriaru Windfarm, Kawe Group AS, Tallinor OÜ, Pakri Windfarm OÜ, Vanaküla Windfarm OÜ, Tooma Windfarm OÜ, Selvaag Eesti OÜ, and Estonian Media AS. As of 23 March 2011, the Estonia Business Registry counted over 400 companies in Estonia with Norwegian involvement.

According to Bank of Estonia data, as of the first half of 2011 Norway had made direct investments in Estonia totalling 631 million euros.

Among countries where Estonia has direct investments, Norway ranks 13th, with investments totalling 39.6 million EUR as of 31 December 2010 (0.9% of total direct investments).

Estonian direct investments were primarily made in professional, research and technical activity (84.1% of direct investments). Smaller investments have also been made in real estate activity, the manufacturing industry, financial and insurance activity, and construction. As of the first half of 2011 Estonia’s direct investments in Norway totalled 35 million euros.

TOURISM

Norway is one of the few target markets in which the decline continued in 2010 (even dropping below 2005 levels). Overnight stays by Norwegian tourists decreased the most in Tallinn (for the third year in a row). In 2010 Estonian accommodation establishments were used by over 40 000 Norwegians; in 2009 the number was nearly 41 000 and in 2008 the number of tourists was over 47 000. During the first ten months of 2011, 42 985 Norwegian tourists had already used Estonian accommodation establishments.

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.

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

In Norway there is an active Norwegian Estonian Society that primarily brings together Norwegians interested in Estonia. The society regularly publishes the newsletter Estlands-nytt. In honour of the 25th anniversary of the society in the fall of 2010, the comprehensive anthology Estland og Norge i fortid og nåtid (Estonia and Norway Then and Now) was published.

Estonians living in Norway meet at the Estonian Society in Norway. The NGO Friends of Norway functioning in Estonia unites in its turn Estonians deeply interested in Norway and the Norwegian culture.

MUSIC, THEATRE, FILM

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.

Estonian musicians have also performed at various festivals in Norway. In September 2009 an Arvo Pärt music week took place in Stanvanger, and in May 2010 Tõnis Mägi gave a concert in Stavanger.
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. Ballet dancer and choreographer Teet Kask worked for many years in the Norwegian National Ballet.

Within the framework of the events dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the Arsis handbell ensemble performed at the Independence Day concert and reception organised by the Estonian Embassy in Oslo and gave another concert as well.

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. 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”. In 2004, Priit Pärn was awarded the lifetime achievement prize at the Fredrikstad Animation Festival.

EDUCATION, LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, ART

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 Norwegian literature (H. Ibsen, S. Undset, B. Bjørnson, K. Hamsun, and others) and travelogues (F. Nansen, T. Heyerdahl)have been translated into Estonian. The most prolific translators have been Adelaida Lemberg, Henrik Sepamaa, Arvo-Jürgen Alas, and Elvi Lumet. The latter was the first Estonian to receive the Norwegian State Award, St. Olaf’s Medal.

Art scholar Jaan Kangliaski worked in Norway on two occasions and shared his impressions with Estonian readers in the book “Norway – Country, People, Art” (1985, 2nd print 2000).

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.