What are the opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and Norway? Which are the spheres that we could share expertise in?
By opening an embassy in Sofia four years ago the Norwegian government indicated that it was interested in closer political, economic and cultural cooperation with Bulgaria.

There is potential for development of the bilateral trade and economic relations especially in the areas of energy, communications and high technologies, maritime industries, environment, tourism and fish.

And as a member of the European Union Bulgaria will form a new kind of partnership with Norway through the European Economic Area (EEA) which will facilitate increased economic activities between our two countries. This means for instance that the four freedoms of the internal market - the free movement of goods, services, capital and persons - will apply to the relations between Norway and Bulgaria.

It is of importance that people are aware of the possibilities that this development will create. Therefore I use this opportunity to say a few words about EU enlargement, EEA and Norway. In connection with enlargement of EU and EEA in 2004 it was decided after negotiations between EU and the EFTA countries, Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein, that two new financial mechanisms should be established. One is the EEA financial mechanism, and the other is a separate Norwegian bilateral one.

The objectives of the mechanisms are to contribute to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the EU/EEA area through the financing of grants to investment and development programmes and projects. The purpose of the mechanisms is also to enhance the new member states' ability to participate fully in the internal market.

Another goal is to strengthen Norway's bilateral relations with the beneficiary states.

A total of EURO 1.167 billion is being made available under these mechanisms for the period 2004 to 2009. Norway's contribution will amount to a total of EURO 1.134 billion, which implies a tenfold increase in the Norwegian contribution towards reduction of social and economic disparities in the EU/EEA area, and makes Norway one of the largest contributors of the 28 countries in the enlarged EEA.

I would also like to mention a programme that have had a positive bearing on Norwegian-Bulgarian relations. In 2001 the Norwegian Government launched a Plan of Action for Co-operation with the EU Candidate Countries, the purpose of which was to create a platform for broad and strengthened co-operation with each of them. In a period of four years under the Plan of Action, Norway has financed a number of projects in Bulgaria in the areas of administration of justice and fight against corruption, institution and democracy building, the social sector, children and youth, integration of minorities, environment and energy. An additional instrument for co-operation is originating from the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry. This ministry has through the embassy supported projects contributing to the intensifying of the economic co-operation between our countries.

Could some of the phenomena in society and in the state be accounted for by the temper of the peoples -for example, do northern blood or southern temperament make any difference?
Well, I am not a socialanthropologist. Therefore I will not dare to say anything definite on this question. In Norway we like to say that an important phenomena of our society is egalitarianism. The basis for this kind of society is manifold, not only the "northern blood".

Norway has no history of a big aristocratic and bourgeois class. The Norwegians have a fairly uniform religious affiliation. About nine out of ten Norwegians are members of the Lutheran state church. The educational system also contributes towards this cultural homogeneity. Few Norwegians send their children to private schools.

Furthermore, the language situation is relatively homogenous. Admittedly, Norway has two official written languages - standard Norwegian and new Norwegian. But the two versions of the Norwegian language are very similar. The Sami people have their own language, though. This cultural homogeneity is reflected in considerable culture-political uniformity. Up to the 1980s, Norway had only one state broadcasting channel and up to the 1990s only one state television channel.

Furthermore several cultural sectors are dominated by one national special interests organisation. This applies to most sectors of the arts and also within sport.

The post-war years brought about a steady progress in the Norwegian economy. The main political force was the Labour party which of course has as its credo: solidarity. In co-operation with the other political parties - there were no big differences in social policy in those years – the available resources were spent on building a welfare state, which consolidated a more egalitarian society than in many other countries. For instance, it is just a few years ago since private hospitals started to occur in Norway. Today Norway is still one of the most egalitarian countries in the world although some Norwegians appear on the list of the world's billionaires.

A famous example of Norwegian social equality: During the energy crisis in the early 70ties, when Norway like many other countries had car free Sundays, even our then king Olav the V used the tramway as all other Norwegians on his way to the cross country skiing slopes.

This way of egalitarian thinking has also contributed to a broad Norwegian commitment in international solidarity and peace work. In our development co-operation a basic principle has been assistance to the poorest of the poor. But these days also in Norway we have to be very attentive to make sure that personal needs and wants still have to be balanced towards the need of others and the society as a whole.

I hesitate to start to characterise the Bulgarians and what you call “southern temperament”.

I think that Norway's national identity gradually took the form of a lifestyle characterised by closeness to, respect for and love of nature, particularly the sub arctic mountain landscape requiring great courage, strength and endurance from those who have to survive in it. In this connection I find similarities between the Norway and Bulgaria. Bulgarians, like Norwegians, tend not to be snobbish. They are direct and sincere, easy to communicate with. Like most Norwegians, most Bulgarians have kept some very basic values, love of nature and their own culture, including simple, tasty food. I think we have the appreciation of nature in common and that is reflected in our cultures. Furthermore, both people have survived as independent nations after hundreds of years under foreign masters; the Norwegians under the Danes, and the Bulgarians under the Ottomans. This has produced strong, stubborn and proud individuals in both countries.

What challenges have you faced in Bulgaria?
An everyday challenge is to stay calm when you are driving around in Sofia. There are too many drivers that are behaving as if no rules apply to them. My hope is that the police systematically start to chase these drivers who put other people's lives in danger.

When you work as a diplomat you are supposed not to involve yourself too much in local affairs. But it is a challenge not to start saying things when you notice the gap between rich and poor. The aggressive energy you see in the streets of Sofia ought to be used in a more positive manner. When you get to know Bulgaria you realise that this country has a lot to offer. That is why you should be much more aggressive in promoting yourself, your culture, ancient cities, resilient people, colourful folk arts and music. This positive aggressive approach in combination with the fact that the Bulgarians are renowned for being well educated and hard working should create living conditions for every Bulgarian citizen on the same level of living standard as European people.

And there is one more challenge left: I have twice tried to conquer Malyovitsa, but have been stopped by bad weather. So my challenge is to reach the top before I leave Bulgaria.

With what does our country impress you most?
The Bulgarian society has been dramatically transformed during the last fifteen years. I am impressed by the fact that Bulgaria within a few years time has managed to establish a system based on democratic rule and a free market economy.

But not only in domestic policy has Bulgaria done a great leap forward. The role of Bulgaria on the international political scene is highly different to-day than just a few years ago. During my stay in Bulgaria I have witnessed with great interest the progress made by this country in terms of European integration. Your membership in NATO last year and the progress made towards EU-accession bear witness of Bulgaria's success in the field of foreign policy. Norway has strongly supported the efforts of Bulgaria to become integrated in the Euro-Atlantic structures far cooperation and security. And we highly appreciate the assistance and support offered by Bulgaria to the neighbouring countries in their process of European integration. We fully share the Bulgarian view that European integration is the key factor for political stability and economic development in the region.

As to everyday life I am really impressed by the Bulgarian cuisine. Your food traditions are of course shaped by the country's location. It means that you eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. You are famous for your salads and the yoghurt. Very healthy. When I return to Norway I dream of becoming an agent for Bulgarian cured meat and wine. File Elena, pasterma, trapenitsa salami, the variations of this kind of food is top quality. The same goes for your wine. Before I came to this country I did not know the fabulous mavrud wine. It is great. Your white wine is also very nice. In conclusion Bulgaria and the Bulgarian people do come over to me in a very positive way. The nature is beautiful and people are very friendly.