Norway Divides Responsibility for the High North Policy Between Two Ministries The Norwegian government wants to strengthen the High North's efforts with a new cooperation model between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. "A good measure and it was high time it was introduced," believes Senior Researcher at FNI.
Norwegian MFA Closes Consulate General in Murmansk “These are also demanding times for our two other stations in Russia, however, the situation in Murmansk is quite different”, says Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor).
Norwegian Ocean-Going Fishing Vessel Fleet Annoyed by New Russian Military Exercise in the Barents Sea “We find it worrying that Russia once again choses to conduct a military exercise in the Norwegian economic zone on short notice and without regards taken for ongoing fishing activities”, says Sturla Roald of Fiskebåt.
USA’s Arctic Coordinator: “We Do Not Want to Change the Structure or Membership of the Arctic Council” “Creating an alternative structure to the Arctic Council is not on our agenda. We believe the Council holds its greatest value as a circumpolar forum including all the eight Arctic states and binding together the people who live throughout the entire region”, says James P. DeHart, US Coordinator for the Arctic Region.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Will Not Promise any Guarantee of Fast-Track Processing of Finnish-Swedish NATO Application “Achieving NATO membershipmaygo very fast for Sweden and Finland. However, it is not like their applications are pre-approved at NATO already”, says Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor).
Norwegian Foreign Minister about the Relationship with Russia: “We Cannot Manage on Our Own” In a speech at the University of Oslo on Tuesday, Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Labor) spoke up for allied activity in Norway in relation to the relationship with Russia: “They practice more often, in larger geographical areas, and we see more complex patterns. The asymmetry between Norwegian and Russian military power is enormous. We cannot manage on our own.”
Gathering Input for Norway’s Chairmanship at the Arctic Council The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started preparing before taking over chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2023, having recently had its first out of some 60 input meetings. “The ocean, climate and environment, and sustainable development will be important”, says Norway’s Arctic Ambassador, SAO Morten Høglund.
Welcomes Lavrov to Tromsø State Secretary Audun Halvorsen of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the ministry looks forward to welcoming Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Tromsø in October in relation to the Barents Council’s foreign ministers’ meeting.
Norwegian MFA is Crystal Clear: Will Not Enter Into Dialogue with Russia About Norwegian Territory Russia requests a meeting with Norway to discuss Svalbard, but faces a shut door. “We will not discuss Norwegian territory with Russia”, says Norwegian MFA State Secretary Audun Halvorsen.
Working in the 11th Hour to Agree On Joint Declaration Less than two weeks to go before the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting, there is still much diplomatic work that remains before there is agreement on a ‘Rovaniemi declaration’.
