Norway Approves Updated Trade Deal with Ukraine in Parliamentary Vote

Norway’s Parliament Ratifies Modernized Trade Agreement with Ukraine

According to Главком: On Tuesday, the Norwegian Storting voted overwhelmingly-90 in favor and 10 against-to ratify a revamped trade agreement with Ukraine. This new pact replaces the previous deal that took effect in 2012 and updates cooperation rules in IT, e-commerce, and environmental standards. Signed on April 8, 2025, in Kyiv, the agreement was finalized by representatives from Ukraine and the EFTA member states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yuliia Svyrydenko, signed on behalf of Ukraine, while Norway’s Minister of Trade, Cecilie Myrseth, represented her country. The broad political support in Norway-reflected in the 90-10 vote-highlights strong cross-party backing for deepening economic ties with Ukraine. The ratification was fast-tracked onto the Storting’s Tuesday agenda, allowing the procedure to conclude efficiently for long-term cooperation.

Key Provisions of the Updated Agreement

The modernized deal introduces new chapters addressing:

• e-commerce;
• small and medium-sized enterprises;
• trade and sustainable development.

Negotiations for this update began in April 2024. In 2024, trade turnover between Ukraine and the EFTA countries approached €1.3 billion, underscoring the economic significance of this partnership.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, thanked Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide for advancing the agreement toward ratification.

For the updated agreement to enter into force, it must now be ratified by all participating EFTA states. Meanwhile, a separate geopolitical issue remains on the agenda: Russia’s potential to assert control over a strategic Arctic strait between Norway and the Svalbard archipelago, a matter that continues to shape regional security dynamics.

The ratification of this trade deal marks a significant step in bilateral relations and economic integration, potentially bolstering Ukraine’s economic stability. It also signals Norway’s growing commitment to partnering with Ukraine amid global economic shifts and ongoing security challenges in the region.

As Ukraine strengthens its economic partnerships, another significant development has emerged with Germany. The recent signing of a new taxation agreement aims to enhance financial cooperation, which complements Norway's updated trade deal. This move underscores the importance of diversified economic ties for Ukraine, especially in light of ongoing geopolitical challenges. To learn more about this crucial agreement and its implications, read about the recent tax deal with Germany.