OSLO, August 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Norway will bolster its fish industry by simplifying access to the Ukrainian market for its exporters, Minister of Fisheries Elisabeth Aspaker said on Thursday.

The business community made a number of useful proposals, and first support measures would be announced on Thursday, she said after meeting with heads of professional marine products unions. The meeting followed Russian ban on import of Norwegian fish and seafood.

A number of measures are aimed to ease access to the Ukrainian market for Norwegian exporters and expand economic ties between the countries. In particular, the government agency on export lending plans to provide exporters to Ukraine with refinancing guarantees.

The Ministry also announced closer cooperation with Ukrainian veterinary authorities and completion of negotiations about setting up a bilateral commission on trade, business and economic cooperation to improve market conditions for Norwegian marine products. Agreements are expected to be achieved in the autumn.

The fish industry backed the government’s foreign policy, Aspaker added.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende said on Monday Norway would join the EU sanction package against the Russian economy adopted on July 31, thought the kingdom was not EU member. The government’s decision will come into force after formal approval by the Council of State.