Norway's MFA on All the Nordics in NATO: "The Significance Hasn't Quite Hit Us Yet" Tromsø (High North News): With the new Nordic security policy community and close defense cooperation follows great opportunities for more interaction between Norway, Finland and Sweden also in other areas of society. "We have to learn how to take advantage of this," says Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide.
The Norwegian Barents Secretariat Closes Its Offices in Russia The war in Ukraine has reduced the workload and made it more difficult to maintain the offices in Russia," says Lars Georg Fordal, leader of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat.
Russian Artist: "To Show My Art in Bodø Is Like a Fresh Breath of Freedom" Cooperation with the Norwegian side is of great support, feels Russian artist and war opponent Ulyana Podkorytova. Her art film was recently shown in Bodø. Interaction with critical voices in the art field in Russia must be maintained, believe the curators behind the project.
Our Russian Friends Need A Shoulder to Cry On (Commentary) Vardø: There is a place in the doghouse for those who, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, condemned the Barents cooperation. Had they taken a deep breath before sharpening their tongue, they could have listened to the voices of oppositional Russian artists pleading not to be forsaken.
Continued Enthusiasm for Barents Cooperation Barents Press, Barents Games, and Barents Pride. These are some of the Norwegian-Russian cooperation structures which live on through enthusiasts and The Norwegian Barents Secretariat's support, says Marit Jacobsen, its Deputy Head.
Keeps the "Bridge of Art" over the Russian Border Open Astrid Fadnes and her colleagues in Pikene på Broen continues the interaction with independent artists in Russia. "This connection through art provides hope on both sides. Both for individuals and for the future," she says.
In the Shadow of War: “The Barents Cooperation was a Genuine, Honest Attempt” Kirkenes, Norway: Rune Rafaelsen was awarded a medal for his work for friendship between Russia and Norway. A Russian medal. He has returned it. Friendship with the official Russia is shattered. As are decades of cooperation between people in the two countries. “But you cannot blame the Barents cooperation for that. It was a genuine and honest attempt”, says the former Kirkenes mayor.
“This was just Too Much”, says Rune Rafaelsen “After what happened on 24 February, when Russia invaded Ukraine, it was impossible for me to keep the medal”, says former Mayor Rune Rafaelsen from Sør-Varanger municipality, right on the Norwegian border to Russia.
Increased Tension, but No War in the North “Russia decides the relationship with Norway”, says Professor of History Kari Aga Myklebost. In a panel debate she was asked to take a stand on whether or not the Ukraine crisis may become dangerous for Northern Norway. The answer is yes and no.
Condemns Russia, Not the Russian People The Russian people are our neighbors, our family our friends and colleagues, says Sør-Varanger Mayor Lena Norum Bergeng (Labor).
Russian Ambassador: “Things should Work as Usual for People in the North” The Norwegian Foreign Minister and the Russian Ambassador agree on one thing; the good cooperation and cross-border dialogue between Norway and Russia should continue despite the tense security policy situation.
Lavrov at the Kirkenes Conference: Barents Cooperation Shows Progress Despite Pandemic “I hope that the Barents cooperation in the coming years will not only preserve its dynamic, but also expand when it comes to strengthening the European north, trust, stability and good neighborly relations”, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at this year’s Kirkenes Conference.
Research Millions to Maritime Research in the Arctic The Centre for High North Logistics in Kirkenes, Norway has been granted more than NOK 7 million. The project funds are to be spent on research and development of Arctic maritime logistics and transport solutions in the Barents region.
Working Out a Puzzle: Transport Connectivity a Top Priority in the North Transport connectivity and sustainability, digital innovations, and road safety in the North were discussed during the 9th Barents Parliamentary Conference that took place in the Swedish city of Haparanda.
New Strategy to Invigorate the Arctic Council For the first time since the establishing of the Arctic Council in 1996, work is going on to develop a unique strategy for this international high-level forum. The strategy intends to increase the Council’s planning and implementation capacity, and the plan is for it to be finalized by the time the Arctic foreign ministers meet in May.
