politics
The President of The Norwegian Parliament in Svalbard:
"Important That People Live Here"
The president of the Norwegian Parliament - the Storting - Masud Gharahkhani, went on a delayed visit to Svalbard to highlight preparedness and the role Svalbard plays in international geopolitics.
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"It is important for me to visit Svalbard and get an updated understanding of the current situation here", says the president of the Norwegian Parliament - the Storting - in an email to High North News.
In the Year of Total Preparedness and Norway's Space Year 2026, Gharahkhani believes that Svalbard is particularly interesting with its unique strategic position.
He especially believed that the visit to Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) was useful and that it is important to highlight the significance of space travel for Norway.
Norway's first
At KSAT, Gharahkhani met Norway's first and only astronaut, Jannicke Mikkelsen, together with Governor of Svalbard, Lars Fause.
Mikkelsen was the mission commander on the private space mission Fram2 under the auspices of SpaceX, which was the first crewed space mission to cross both polar regions.
Clear how space travel and preparedness are closely linked
"I greatly appreciate meeting Jannicke Mikkelsen at KSAT. Satellites from KSAT were crucial during her space mission. It shows that KSAT's ground station is an international hub and that their space-based services are central to security and preparedness, both for Norway and our partners", says Gharahkhani.
Mikkelsen explained to the president of the Storting how communication via the ground station on Svalbard was crucial when Fram2 orbited the Earth.
Hub
Svalbard is considered a strategic hub for space-based infrastructure, and KSAT is a world-leading provider of ground station services for satellites in polar orbits. The satellite ground station of KSAT in Svalbard delivers space-based services with significance for public safety and preparedness, both for Norway and international partners.
"In Svalbard, it is clear how space travel and preparedness are closely linked."
Gharahkhani says that Svalbard is central to Norway's preparedness and for stability and responsible presence in the Arctic.
Assertion of sovereignty
"It is important that people live in Svalbard, and therefore there must be jobs. KSAT is a good example. The business contributes both to stable jobs and competence environments in Longyearbyen", says the president of the Storting.
"When people live in Svalbard, Norway's strategic responsibility for this area is simultaneously maintained."
He is impressed by Mikkelsen's efforts and commitment.
"Both as the first Norwegian astronaut in space and through the initiative she takes to gather international astronauts in Norway in September. I look forward to welcoming them to the Storting", says Gharahkhani.
Space conference
He is talking about the international astronaut conference that Mikkelsen has initiated, which will take place in the capital of Norway, Oslo, this autumn; Oslo Astronaut Assembly 2026. The programme for the conference includes a visit to the Storting as part of the programme to promote democracy and universal human values, which are important in international space cooperation.
Gharahkhani also had a phone meeting with the leader of Longyearbyen local council, Terje Aunevik (Liberal).
"I appreciate that I was able to have a phone conversation with the political leadership in Longyearbyen and a chat with the governor. I have received a good introduction to water supply and energy as key issues. It is good to hear about the close cooperation with the authorities. I told them they have an ally in me. There is very good work being done locally", says the president of the Storting.
Important expertise
He also mentions the closure of Norway's last coal mine, Mine 7, which went out of operation in 2025. The mine officially closed May 4.
"The closing of the mine is bittersweet, but we must remember that the expertise the miners possess can be crucial for preparedness work going forward", concludes Masud Gharahkhani.
His original program in Svalbard had to be changed due to a issue of fuel taxes in the Storting. On 1 May, Gharahkhani delivered the May Day speech for Workers' Day in Longyearbyen, as planned.
