Moldova and Norway will soon sign an agreement on the facilitation of the visa regime. Deputy Prime Minister Foreign and European Integration Minister Iurie Leanca and his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store reached this understanding in Oslo.

The sides exchanged opinions on the domestic evolutions in Moldova and the bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

The Norwegian official expressed interest in the evolution of the Moldova - European Union dialogue, even if Norway is not an EU member. Due to its affiliation to the European Economic Area and its inclusion in the Schengen zone, Oslo actively participates in the policy promoted by the EU in these fields.

At the meeting, the ministers assessed the level of implementation of Norway-backed development projects in Moldova, which amount to almost 2.7 million euros annually. One of the projects meant to promote judiciary reforms was discussed in detail with the Norwegian relevant minister Knut Storberget. The officials described as very efficient the NORLAM (Norwegian Mission of Rule of Law Advisers to Moldova) project, launched by the Olso-based Justice and Police Ministry in Moldova two years ago.

Iurie Leanca highlighted the Moldovan government's interest not only to continue, but also to extend cooperation, by including in this project, the Prosecutor General's Office and the Interior Ministry along with the Justice Ministry. The head of the Moldovan diplomacy said this will ensure an in-depth approach to the problems in the justice and interior sectors in Moldova.

At a meeting between the Moldovan delegation and the Norwegian State Secretary of Trade and Industry Rikke Lind, the sides exchanged opinions on possibilities to extend the Moldovan-Norwegian commercial ties, as well as to promote Moldova's investment potential in the northern countries. On this occasion, companies from Norway were invited to participate in a forum of business people, due in Chisinau next May.

Similar subjects, as well as the development of the inter-parliamentary cooperation were tackled with Chairwoman Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide and members of the parliamentary commission for external affairs and defence.

General aspects of regional and international security were considered in detail with State Secretary for Defence Espen Barth Eide.

At the end of the visit to Oslo, Iurie Leanca gave an interview to a Norwegian daily Aftenposten and met representatives of the Moldovan diaspora in Norway.