Ambassador of Norway: 'High investment risks in Ukraine put off many investors from Norway'
An exclusive interview with His Excellency the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Norway Jon Elvedal Fredriksen given to the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency
Q: How do you assess the current level of cooperation between Ukraine and Norway? What areas, in your opinion, need to be improved?
A: Norway and Ukraine established very good bilateral relations long ago. We opened our embassy in Kyiv way back in 1992, and were, if not the first, but far from being the last, to recognize Ukraine's independence. Since then, we have been developing good relations in various fields; we've actively cooperated with various governments over this entire period.
Of course, there are certain directions in cooperation that are very important to us, and specific emphasis is laid on economic relations. Norway supplies large amounts of fish to Ukraine, while Ukraine exports various types of metalware to us.
As for commodity turnover, this figure is growing every year. Norway's exports to Ukraine in 2010 were estimated at 1.219 billion Norwegian kroner, while Ukraine imported goods worth 922 million Norwegian kroner to Norway. We shouldn't stop here - this needs to be developed.
Norway is not a European Union member, but we're present on the EU's domestic market. Given the fact that Ukraine is pursuing a policy aimed at European integration, we're ready to assist it in this, share experience in the context of signing an Association Agreement and the creation of a free trade zone, as we've been cooperating with the EU in such mode for about 16 years.
Q: Are there any planned visits of Norwegian delegations to Ukraine this year? Is the possibility of a visit of the king or Prime Minister of Norway to Kyiv being considered?
A: Yes, there are. We have quite an active visit program. Our minister of local government and regional development [Liv Signe Navarsete] is coming to Kyiv early in November. She will attend a conference to be organized by Ukraine for ministers of the Council of Europe member countries.
On the agenda is a visit by Ukraine's Foreign Affairs Minister Kostiantyn Hryschenko to Oslo by the end of the current year. There is no fixed date so far, but the visit has been incorporated into the agenda.
As for high-level visits, there are no certain plans here. I know that Ukraine has previously invited our prime minister, although there are no fixed plans. However, one cannot rule out that such a visit could take place.
Q: What is the current situation with issuing visas to Ukrainians for visits to Norway? Which are the dynamics? Are there many [visa] refusals?
A: I'd say that we've got a very good situation in that area. As the flow of Ukrainians going to Norway is quite notable – about 10,000 people, and, according to our standards, this is a quite good figure. We've got a very small number of refusals – less than 3%, and they happen mainly for technical reasons.
In summer we see quite good flows of tourists going from Ukraine to Norway, but we're working to improve the performance.
As for the number of Norwegians visiting Ukraine – figures here could be better. In Norway they know little about Ukraine, and there is the need to inform the public about your country. What is more, our citizens don't need visas to go to Ukraine. This means that in that direction there are opportunities and prospects for further cooperation.
Q: Will direct flights between Kyiv and Oslo be established?
A: It's true that there are no regular flights between Kyiv and Oslo, but Wizz Air opens direct flights in summer. Of course, we'd like to have regular direct flights, but commercial solutions are needed in that direction, and it's hard to influence that process.
Q: How active is Norwegian business in coming to Ukraine? How do you evaluate the situation with the investment climate in Ukraine?
A: Norwegian investment is present in Ukraine. This includes the Elopack company operating in Kyiv region, and Telenor, which has been actively working in Ukraine and is a co-owner of Kyivstar. IT companies also work here. Many companies could like to come to Ukraine, but it is considered an economy with high risks for our investors. A restraining factor for many Norwegian investors is the high investment risk in Ukraine. I consider Ukraine as a market where our investors, our business should have solid financial presence, and the desire, as well as the opportunity, to learn about the conditions.
Q: Are these risks related to corruption?
A: There are various risks, and corruption is among them. Ukraine is a new field for our businessmen, and they have to understand how to work in Ukraine.
Q: A project for the disposal of anti-personnel mines is being implemented in Ukraine with the support of Norway. What stage of implementation is it at now?
A: This is a very successful project, and one must say that we have seen great cooperation with the State Space Agency of Ukraine in that direction. The Norwegian part of that project is nearing the final stages of implementation. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony in Pavlohrad [the project is run at the facilities of Pavlohrad chemical plant in Dnipropetrovsk region] took part this summer, and our experts are arriving in November to see how anti-personnel mines are being disposed of.
Q: Ukrainian mass media reported that Norway provided asylum to Ukrainian nurse Halyna Kolotnytska, who is known for her close association with Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi. Do you have any information in this regard? Has she received a residence permit in Norway?
A: I could tell you only one thing – I cannot comment certain cases that are being considered by our department for foreigners' affairs.