Ambassador Kleven Grevstad: ‘Norway contributes to economic and social cohesion of EU;12 programmes implemented in Romania’

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Romania, Lise Nicoline Kleven Grevstad, on Monday evening stated at the "Day of Nations" event organised by the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology (UMFST) in Targu Mures that her country contributes to the economic and social cohesion of Europe, including through Norwegian grants, also adding that 12 programmes are about to be implemented in Romania. 

„Due to cooperation with the European Union, it is very easy today to travel and learn abroad. As you already know, Norway is not a member of the EU, but we are closely connected through agreements, which means that we have the same rights and obligations as the EU entities. This gives Romanian and Norwegian students equal chances of studying abroad, as well as equal opportunities in finding a job in all the other member states. Norway contributed to the economic and social cohesion in Europe with the Norwegian grants, with 12 programmes being about to be implemented in Romania in fields such as justice, Roma minority, cultural patrimony, social inclusion and environmental protection”, Lise Nicoline Kleven Grevstad stated. 

She showed that Norway also has a scholarship programme in education through which students and Romanian professors can learn and teach in Norway and the Norwegian ones in Romania. 

„We work together, we learn from each other, we build useful relations between specialists and we make friends. In other words, we are building bridges and we learn to better know the other's culture and society. Tolerance and non-discrimination can be only cultivated through education and intercultural dialogue”, the Ambassador underscored. 

In respect to her participation in the ceremony during which the flags of the 50 states wherefrom the approximately 700 students come from, plus those of Romania and the European Union, were hoisted at the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and technology in Targu Mures, Lise Nicoline Kleven Grevstad said that education is the foundation of competitiveness in any country. 

„It is a great pleasure for me to be here and an honour to be able to take part in the opening of the academic year in Targu Mures. Education is the best investment that we can make in our future, it is the benefit that we can bring to any of us and to society as a whole. A good education is an absolute prerequisite for sustainable development and prosperity. This is the foundation of competitiveness in any country, the foundation of the fight against poverty and reducing social inequities. That's why I am glad to be here today in the beautiful city of Targu Mures and to meet so many students. I am sure that you are all willing to start a new stage of your life. From my own experience I can tell you that there will be a lot of work, many hours of learning and reading, but it will also be a challenging work that will bring us many satisfactions and achievements”, underscored Lise Nicoline Kleven Grevstad. 

The Norwegian Ambassador was impressed to see the 52 flags hoisted at the UMFST Targu Mures, including that of her country, saying that it is „a truly beautiful image”. 

„This year we also have Norwegian students beginning their studies at UMFST. I am happy that you have chosen to come to Targu Mures, in the heart of Transylvania. Studying abroad will offer you the possibility of gathering new knowledge in a specific field but, more important, you will have access to a new culture, you will enrich your life experiences, which will prove useful to you in the future and I am sure that this will be a cultural adventure”, said Lisa Nicoline Kleven Grevstad.

AGERPRES