natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Please note that Norway does not open temporary TRQs, but has a system of administrative tariff reductions as described in para 16 on page 79 of the WTO Secretariat’s report.
Please note that Norway does not open temporary TRQs, but has a system of administrative tariff reductions as described in para 16 on page 79 of the WTO Secretariat’s report.
There are no quantitative limitations to imports under this regime, but the tariff reductions apply for a limited period of time.
There are no quantitative limitations to imports under this regime, but the tariff reductions apply for a limited period of time.
Another member (and the Chair in his opening statement) mentioned tariff reclassification and subsequent increased duties on certain products.
Another member (and the Chair in his opening statement) mentioned tariff reclassification and subsequent increased duties on certain products.
We assume they are referring to a recent issue regarding the flower Hortensia[2].
We assume they are referring to a recent issue regarding the flower Hortensia[2].
We would like to clarify that Norway did not raise any duties.
We would like to clarify that Norway did not raise any duties.
What happened was a technical correction of the commodity code for the product in question.
What happened was a technical correction of the commodity code for the product in question.
This leads me naturally towards another main theme in members’ interventions, namely agriculture.
This leads me naturally towards another main theme in members’ interventions, namely agriculture.
Let me start by responding to the discussant, Ambassador Agah, when he asked why there is no mention of agriculture in the Government’s report.
Let me start by responding to the discussant, Ambassador Agah, when he asked why there is no mention of agriculture in the Government’s report.
The explanation is probably that we made a choice of areas where we thought there was a particular need for an update since our last TPR.
The explanation is probably that we made a choice of areas where we thought there was a particular need for an update since our last TPR.
However, I appreciate ambassador Agah’s point that the TPR provides an opportunity to explain to members those circumstances that have informed our policies in this particular area – even if, I might add, that these policies remain relatively unchanged from the last review.
However, I appreciate ambassador Agah’s point that the TPR provides an opportunity to explain to members those circumstances that have informed our policies in this particular area – even if, I might add, that these policies remain relatively unchanged from the last review.
This delegation has taken duly note of your point, ambassador Agah, and will make sure that your advice is forwarded to the team that will be responsible for preparing our next TPR.
This delegation has taken duly note of your point, ambassador Agah, and will make sure that your advice is forwarded to the team that will be responsible for preparing our next TPR.
Several members made comments in relation to our tariffs and tariff quotas.
Several members made comments in relation to our tariffs and tariff quotas.
First, a point relating to what is referred to as our system of “mixed” duties.
First, a point relating to what is referred to as our system of “mixed” duties.
While 48 per cent of our agricultural tariff lines are bound as specific or ad valorem tariffs, whichever is higher, only one of the two is applied in a single calendar year, as tariffs are adopted by the Parliament for one year at the time.
While 48 per cent of our agricultural tariff lines are bound as specific or ad valorem tariffs, whichever is higher, only one of the two is applied in a single calendar year, as tariffs are adopted by the Parliament for one year at the time.
This provides for predictability as tariffs may not be raised during the calendar year beyond the level adopted by the Parliament.
This provides for predictability as tariffs may not be raised during the calendar year beyond the level adopted by the Parliament.
As to the allocation of tariff quotas, there is no penalty for unused quota-shares.
As to the allocation of tariff quotas, there is no penalty for unused quota-shares.
The quotas are however tradable, meaning that there is an economic incentive in reselling unused quota-shares.
The quotas are however tradable, meaning that there is an economic incentive in reselling unused quota-shares.
Trade statistics give absolutely no indications that companies buy quota shares in order to prevent imports from taking place.
Trade statistics give absolutely no indications that companies buy quota shares in order to prevent imports from taking place.
Low TRQ fill-rates are mainly due to economic reasons such as low demand and difficulties in meeting quality specifications.
Low TRQ fill-rates are mainly due to economic reasons such as low demand and difficulties in meeting quality specifications.
The quotas are well known among importers and are utilized when it is economically attractive to do so.
The quotas are well known among importers and are utilized when it is economically attractive to do so.
A final word regarding agricultural tariffs - we are happy to inform our wine-producing friends that wine can be imported duty-free from all sources into Norway.
A final word regarding agricultural tariffs - we are happy to inform our wine-producing friends that wine can be imported duty-free from all sources into Norway.
Many Members have encouraged Norway – in diplomatic, but unmistaken terms - to “examine whether the high levels of tariff protection and domestic support for agriculture are really needed”, to quote one statement made two days ago.
Many Members have encouraged Norway – in diplomatic, but unmistaken terms - to “examine whether the high levels of tariff protection and domestic support for agriculture are really needed”, to quote one statement made two days ago.
Let me assure you that we have heard your message, loud and clear, and that your message will be conveyed faithfully to our political masters.
Let me assure you that we have heard your message, loud and clear, and that your message will be conveyed faithfully to our political masters.
Let me, however, also respond by making it clear that there are limits to how much Norway can do, and how far we can stretch, in a liberalizing direction on agriculture.
Let me, however, also respond by making it clear that there are limits to how much Norway can do, and how far we can stretch, in a liberalizing direction on agriculture.
This remains as true in our domestic policy formulation, as it remains in our negotiating positions in the WTO.
This remains as true in our domestic policy formulation, as it remains in our negotiating positions in the WTO.
While we acknowledge the important role of market signals in stimulating an efficient allocation of resources, we are, quite frankly, concerned that the strongest market signal that would be sent to an unprotected Norwegian agricultural sector is that we shouldn’t have a Norwegian agricultural sector at all.
While we acknowledge the important role of market signals in stimulating an efficient allocation of resources, we are, quite frankly, concerned that the strongest market signal that would be sent to an unprotected Norwegian agricultural sector is that we shouldn’t have a Norwegian agricultural sector at all.
For reasons well known to those that have followed our policies and positions in this house, this would be beyond what we can agree to, whether unilaterally or multilaterally.
For reasons well known to those that have followed our policies and positions in this house, this would be beyond what we can agree to, whether unilaterally or multilaterally.
That does not mean that our agricultural sector is standing still.
That does not mean that our agricultural sector is standing still.
Agricultural productivity has doubled during the last twenty years and continues to improve.
Agricultural productivity has doubled during the last twenty years and continues to improve.
Furthermore, we see a strong upward trend in product development, where our producers are moving into high quality niche markets to diversify their production and take advantage of value added.
Furthermore, we see a strong upward trend in product development, where our producers are moving into high quality niche markets to diversify their production and take advantage of value added.
Neither does it mean that our markets are closed.
Neither does it mean that our markets are closed.
I have already mentioned in my opening statement the large increase in imports of agricultural products to Norway, and the value our consumers place on the diversity and choice these imports represent.
I have already mentioned in my opening statement the large increase in imports of agricultural products to Norway, and the value our consumers place on the diversity and choice these imports represent.
This is set to continue, hand in hand with further strengthening of our domestic production, as demand continues to rise with a growing population.
This is set to continue, hand in hand with further strengthening of our domestic production, as demand continues to rise with a growing population.
The recently announced improvements to our GSP scheme represent a desire on the part of the Government to stimulate increased trade flows from developing country trading partners.
The recently announced improvements to our GSP scheme represent a desire on the part of the Government to stimulate increased trade flows from developing country trading partners.
Our commitment to respecting the existing rules and obligations in the WTO is already a key driver of reform in Norway.
Our commitment to respecting the existing rules and obligations in the WTO is already a key driver of reform in Norway.
I have previously mentioned the steps taken following our last TPR, where market price support for beef was eliminated in order to comply with our subsidy commitments.
I have previously mentioned the steps taken following our last TPR, where market price support for beef was eliminated in order to comply with our subsidy commitments.
A working group is currently considering whether similar steps are warranted for other products where we have high levels of trade distorting support.
A working group is currently considering whether similar steps are warranted for other products where we have high levels of trade distorting support.
Of even more significance, Norway stands prepared to do our part in fulfilling the Doha mandate on ambitious steps towards further openings in agriculture.
Of even more significance, Norway stands prepared to do our part in fulfilling the Doha mandate on ambitious steps towards further openings in agriculture.
The current impasse in the negotiations, including on agriculture, is not of our choosing, and the deadlock does not stem from unwillingness on our part to take our share of the responsibility.
The current impasse in the negotiations, including on agriculture, is not of our choosing, and the deadlock does not stem from unwillingness on our part to take our share of the responsibility.
We have shown in the past that it is possible to find solutions that balance the need for an ambitious outcome with gradualism and the need to take into account legitimate concerns.
We have shown in the past that it is possible to find solutions that balance the need for an ambitious outcome with gradualism and the need to take into account legitimate concerns.
We encourage all members to think creatively about how to take negotiations forward, and assure you that Norway will do its part.
We encourage all members to think creatively about how to take negotiations forward, and assure you that Norway will do its part.
As promised on Tuesday, we have provided a second batch of answers to those questions received last week, and they were made available on the WTO website yesterday.
As promised on Tuesday, we have provided a second batch of answers to those questions received last week, and they were made available on the WTO website yesterday.
Over the past couple of days we have received an additional 30 written questions from two members.
Over the past couple of days we have received an additional 30 written questions from two members.
We will of course reply to these within the deadline of no more than a month after this meeting.
We will of course reply to these within the deadline of no more than a month after this meeting.
1) The phytosanitary field is, however, not a part of the EEA Agreement, but the Norwegian legislation in this field builds on the same principles as in the EU.
1) The phytosanitary field is, however, not a part of the EEA Agreement, but the Norwegian legislation in this field builds on the same principles as in the EU.
2) Hydrangea Macrophylla
2) Hydrangea Macrophylla
Norway's Sixth Trade Policy Review
Norway's Sixth Trade Policy Review
“On Sunday 21 August we will commemorate those who died in the attacks on the government offices in Oslo and Utøya.
- Søndag 21. august minnes vi de som døde i angrepene på regjeringskvartalet og Utøya.
The ceremony will be held in Oslo Spektrum on Sunday 21 August at 15:00.
Seremonien finner sted i Oslo Spektrum klokken 15.00.
More than 6 000 guests will attend the ceremony.
Over 6000 gjester vil være tilstede under minneseremonien.
The King and Queen will attend, together with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Princess Märtha Louise, Ari Behn and Princess Astrid.
Kongeparet vil delta, sammen med Kronprinsparet, prinsesse Märtha Louise, Ari Behn og prinsesse Astrid.
Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark will also attend.
Fra Sverige kommer kronprinsesse Victoria og fra Danmark kronprins Frederik.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on NRK, TV2 and TVNorge.
Seremonien vil bli overført direkte på NRK, TV2 og TVNorge.
More information is available at www.minneseremoni.no
Les mer på www.minneseremoni.no
National memorial ceremony:
Nasjonal minneseremoni:
Oslo, 18 September 2008
Hotel Bristol, Oslo, 18. september 2008
Trade can be part of the climate change solution, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, said in his statement at the seminar jointly by the European Commission Delegation to Norway and Iceland, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Trade can be part of the climate change solution, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, said in his statement at the seminar jointly by the European Commission Delegation to Norway and Iceland, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Minister’s remarks were based on the following talking points (check against delivery)
The Minister’s remarks were based on the following talking points (check against delivery)
Commissioner, Ambassadors, friends,
Commissioner, Ambassadors, friends,
Thank you, Madam Chair (Eva Bratholm), and my thanks to the organisers – the European Commission Delegation to Norway, Ambassador Westerlund and his team, and the NHO (the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise), and Finn Bergesen jr – for inviting me to this discussion.
Thank you, Madam Chair (Eva Bratholm), and my thanks to the organisers – the European Commission Delegation to Norway, Ambassador Westerlund and his team, and the NHO (the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise), and Finn Bergesen jr – for inviting me to this discussion.
A hearty welcome to Commissioner Mandelson, with whom I spent many nights this summer (negotiating in Geneva that is), and to Fredric Hauge – Time Magazine’s “Hero of the Environment”.
A hearty welcome to Commissioner Mandelson, with whom I spent many nights this summer (negotiating in Geneva that is), and to Fredric Hauge – Time Magazine’s “Hero of the Environment”.
Anyway, before commenting on the question of the compatibility of trade and climate change policy, let me make a few general points.
Anyway, before commenting on the question of the compatibility of trade and climate change policy, let me make a few general points.
The first is related to the fact that our globalised world is facing fundamental challenges: poverty, development and climate change.
The first is related to the fact that our globalised world is facing fundamental challenges: poverty, development and climate change.
And trade relates to all three, but not in a simple straight-forward way.
And trade relates to all three, but not in a simple straight-forward way.
These are complex issues, with few easy answers.
These are complex issues, with few easy answers.
– Reference to the WTO negotiations (Doha trade talks), fight against poverty.
– Reference to the WTO negotiations (Doha trade talks), fight against poverty.
An inclusive approach, burden-sharing, get the balance right.
An inclusive approach, burden-sharing, get the balance right.
Most people agree that trade is an important tool for creating economic and social development.
Most people agree that trade is an important tool for creating economic and social development.
But trade alone will not eradicate poverty.
But trade alone will not eradicate poverty.
Only a broad and comprehensive effort at the national, regional and global level can do that.
Only a broad and comprehensive effort at the national, regional and global level can do that.
The same applies to climate change.
The same applies to climate change.
Climate change will have consequences for many aspects of our societies.
Climate change will have consequences for many aspects of our societies.
And addressing climate change requires a multi-faceted response.
And addressing climate change requires a multi-faceted response.
Furthermore, we know that there are many linkages between poverty and climate change.
Furthermore, we know that there are many linkages between poverty and climate change.
Governments in poor countries facing the combined challenges of poverty and climate change, will – if there are competing interests – give priority to poverty eradication before climate change mitigation.
Governments in poor countries facing the combined challenges of poverty and climate change, will – if there are competing interests – give priority to poverty eradication before climate change mitigation.
Poverty is immediately present, visible and acute, while the “inconvenient” consequences of climate change may be regarded as more long-term in nature.
Poverty is immediately present, visible and acute, while the “inconvenient” consequences of climate change may be regarded as more long-term in nature.
This hard political reality is also reflected in the Climate Convention, under which the Parties have agreed to strive for “an open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development in all Parties, particularly developing country Parties”.
This hard political reality is also reflected in the Climate Convention, under which the Parties have agreed to strive for “an open international economic system that would lead to sustainable economic growth and development in all Parties, particularly developing country Parties”.
My second general point is related to the term “free trade”, which should not be confused with the term “unregulated trade”.
My second general point is related to the term “free trade”, which should not be confused with the term “unregulated trade”.
Trade takes place within a complex system of rules, at the global, regional and national level.
Trade takes place within a complex system of rules, at the global, regional and national level.
And the global framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) explicitly acknowledges the freedom of countries to regulate their rules, for example in connection with health and environmental policies.
And the global framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) explicitly acknowledges the freedom of countries to regulate their rules, for example in connection with health and environmental policies.
We do not have a global laissez-faire system today, and I am confident that we never will.
We do not have a global laissez-faire system today, and I am confident that we never will.
A lack of regulations leads to critical downsides – take a look at some of today’s financial markets.
A lack of regulations leads to critical downsides – take a look at some of today’s financial markets.
What we do have is a rules-based global trading regime.
What we do have is a rules-based global trading regime.
We need to ensure that this system remains strong.
We need to ensure that this system remains strong.
As Peter Mandelson put it in an article for the Daily Telegraph on 31 July 2008 – just as we recovered from having met the roadblock in Geneva – “The WTO and a system of global trade rules is the only way that we will resolve questions of commerce and equity, trade and development in the global economy”.
As Peter Mandelson put it in an article for the Daily Telegraph on 31 July 2008 – just as we recovered from having met the roadblock in Geneva – “The WTO and a system of global trade rules is the only way that we will resolve questions of commerce and equity, trade and development in the global economy”.
Reference to: workers’ rights, social protection, ILO’s Decent Work Agenda (the conference in Oslo two weeks ago).
Reference to: workers’ rights, social protection, ILO’s Decent Work Agenda (the conference in Oslo two weeks ago).
Social justice for a fair globalisation.
Social justice for a fair globalisation.
On the basis of these general points – on poverty, development and the global trading regime – I’d like to concentrate my further comments to three observations or questions: First, how can the current trade regime stimulate climate change mitigation?
On the basis of these general points – on poverty, development and the global trading regime – I’d like to concentrate my further comments to three observations or questions: First, how can the current trade regime stimulate climate change mitigation?
Second, does the current trade regime represent a barrier to climate change mitigation?
Second, does the current trade regime represent a barrier to climate change mitigation?
And third, could trade restrictions be used to support climate change policies?
And third, could trade restrictions be used to support climate change policies?
So, first, the question of how the current trade regime could stimulate climate change mitigation.
So, first, the question of how the current trade regime could stimulate climate change mitigation.
The closest we come to addressing climate change in the WTO today are the negotiations on liberalising trade in environmental goods and services.
The closest we come to addressing climate change in the WTO today are the negotiations on liberalising trade in environmental goods and services.
Reducing trade barriers will facilitate better access to new technology, and hence provide new opportunities for protecting the environment.
Reducing trade barriers will facilitate better access to new technology, and hence provide new opportunities for protecting the environment.
At the same time, this is a growing global market estimated to be worth more than 550 billion dollars a year in these sectors.
At the same time, this is a growing global market estimated to be worth more than 550 billion dollars a year in these sectors.
These negotiations could deliver a double win for many WTO members, and can clearly be counted among the positive incentives for change.
These negotiations could deliver a double win for many WTO members, and can clearly be counted among the positive incentives for change.
This is the most obvious step forward that can be achieved in the WTO within a relatively short time frame.
This is the most obvious step forward that can be achieved in the WTO within a relatively short time frame.
My second observation relates to whether the current trade regime represents a barrier to effective climate change policies.
My second observation relates to whether the current trade regime represents a barrier to effective climate change policies.
Well, there are nuances – but the most immediate answer is “no”.
Well, there are nuances – but the most immediate answer is “no”.