Czechs still do not have free access to the labour markets in Germany, Austria and Belgium.
"We are glad that Norway has arrived at the conclusion that further transitory measures are unfounded. We can consider it as a present Norway has given to the Czech Republic on the eve of our EU presidency," Jana Reinisova, Czech Deputy Ambassador to the EU, told CTK.
The Czech Republic will take up EU presidency for half a year in January. Breaking the barriers on EU internal markets ranks among its main priorities.
Norway is not a EU member but is part of the European Economic Space.
Germany and Austria can be expected to extend the temporary exception for the Czech Republic to the last possible two-year period, that is, until April 30, 2011.
In Denmark, the barriers will fall as of May. Belgium has not yet made a definitive decision but there are signs that it will not want to prolong the current transitory period.
Norwegian authorities issued 70,000 work permits in January-October, new permits as well as renewed older permits. The highest number (47,000) was for Poles. But there were also some 700 permits for Czechs and 2,500 for Slovaks.
Author: ČTK / December 16, 2008
Source: Prague Daily Monitor