Norway: Prime Minister Erna Solberg met head of European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen

NordenBladet — Green transformation and the COVID-19 pandemic was the key topics at the meeting between Prime Minister Erna Solberg and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, today.

– European cooperation is essential to our efforts to address the major challenges we are facing, from how to encourage green transformation to how to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, said PM Solberg.

Norway is part of European cooperation through the EEA Agreement, the Schengen Agreement and a wide array of other agreements. The meeting provides an opportunity to discuss issues of importance to Norway.

– Cooperation with the EU is vital to promoting and implementing the transition to a greener economy in Norway. We will be a partner in the European Green Deal, and we will work closely with the EU to follow up the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  The EU has significantly strengthened cooperation in the area of health in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Cooperation with the EU plays an extremely important part in Norway’s national response to the pandemic, both in terms of the acquisition and distribution of vaccines, and in terms of the exchange of experience and mutual assistance,’ Ms Solberg said.

– In a rapidly changing world, it is important that European countries work together and show solidarity for each other. It also means that we must stay true to our principles and defend our fundamental values, such as democracy and the rule of law, here in Europe as well. We discussed what Norway can do to support the Commission’s efforts in this area, said the Prime Minister.

Source: regjeringen.no