"Important for Norway to Maintain Expertise on Russia"

"The government is deeply concerned about the strong authoritarian development in Russia, where the authorities are using increasingly forceful methods to suppress civil society.  We deeply regret and strongly dissociate ourselves from the Russian authorities’ designation of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat as an «undesirable organisation».

This is emphasised by State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson (Labour) in the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement to High North News.

The Norwegian Barents Secretariat was recently declared an "undesirable organisation" by Russian authorities, which leads to more demanding considerations for the secretariat in its future work.

As HNN has reported, the new letter of assignment from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development allows the secretariat, as in previous years, to support people-to-people projects involving independent Russian actors.

However, as a result of the new status as "undesirable", Managing Director Kenneth Stålsett has pointed out that it may become more demanding to deliver on this particular part of the assignment.

"We must be very conservative, responsible and careful in our approach to this type of funding. This is important until we know more. We must prevent putting people in any form of unconscious or conscious danger, regardless of whether the individual or the organisation itself want to take that risk. This is not something we compromise on," Stålsett said.

Offer close dialogue

High North News has asked how Norwegian authorities believe the Barents Secretariat should navigate its work going forward with regard to the security considerations for independent Russian actors.

In the letter of assignment, it is specified that "consideration must be given to the risk that partners are exposed to as a result of the secretariat’s new status in Russia. The secretariat must ensure that partners have made the necessary assessments of their own safety."

State Secretary Vad Petersson underlines that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in good dialogue with several of the Norwegian organisations that have been declared ‘undesirable’, including on handling risk in projects involving Russian actors. 

This dialogue will also include the Barents Secretariat, he says.

"In the Barents Secretariat’s mandate, a small part concerning the maintenance of expertise on Russia and projects involving Russian actors has been retained. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs underlines that close dialogue on this is planned, including on specific cases. This is particularly important after the Russian authorities declared the Barents Secretariat an «undesirable organisation", he continues. 

Expertise on Russia

Furthermore, the State Secretary points out that it is important for Norway to support Russian civil society and maintain Norwegian expertise on Russia. 

"This is becoming increasingly demanding as contact between authorities and other actors on the Russian side has become very limited. As a neighbouring country, it is important for Norway to understand Russia and Russian conditions, as part of the goal of ensuring stability and predictability in our neighbouring areas. Many actors are involved, particularly from research, public administration and civil society." 

"Although the Barents Secretariat’s opportunity to involve Russian actors in projects has now been greatly reduced, they also have a role in supporting the overall goal of preserving Norwegian knowledge and expertise on Russia," he elaborates.

"Civil society actors who receive support through Norwegian grant schemes are an important resource in the current situation, but especially going forward. It is important that we help ensure that Russian civil society can be sustained until a possible new and different situation in Russia."

Commends the work 

After Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the suspension of all activities with the official Russia within the Barents cooperation, the main focus of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat's work has turned towards regional, cross-border cooperation with Sweden and Finland in the North. 

This is also emphasised in the new letter of assignment.

"I would like to commend how the Head of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, Kenneth Stålsett, is leading the organisation through a major restructuring process. From having a key role in people-to-people contact with Russia, the effort is being redirected towards Nordic cooperation on the High North, says Vad Petersson in conclusion.