The Border Municipality Is Fighting for Its Existence: “Anything Is Better Than Nothing” Kirkenes, Northern Norway (High North News): While the Norwegian government is rearming in the North and announcing increased military activity, local businesses are disappearing, and the population is declining, while top politicians are being flown in and out of the region with vague and sweet promises. "We do not need symbolic diplomacy," says the Mayor of Sør-Varanger municipality, that borders to Russia.
“Norway Must Be the One to Have Control in the Areas Closest to Russia” Kirkenes (High North News): Russia is rattling its sabers along NATO's borders in the North, and the Norwegian prime minister warns against war and opens up for increased allied exercises in the High North. But both Norway's PM and Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen trust Trump to respect Norwegian game rules.
In an Abundance of Asian Tourists by the Border With Russia, PM Jonas Gahr Støre Appears Commentary: A nearly unpenetrable wall of Asian tourists meets me on my way into the reception at one of the overcrowded hotels in Kirkenes, Northern Norway. In a balancing act between rolling luggage as tall as their owners, I find the staircase leading to the second floor, where I meet Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Norwegian PM Støre: Important to Be a Neighbor That Does Not Offer Surprises Kirkenes (High North News): "I am concerned with us sticking to deterrence and reassurance. Some say we must stop reassuring, but I profoundly disagree," said Norwegian PM Jonas Gahr Støre during the Kirkenes Conference in Northern Norway.
The Kirkenes Conference 2024: Discussing the Way Forward for the High North The geopolitical situation in the High North and changed border-crossing conditions are topics found throughout the Kirkenes Conference, which Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre opened.
The Thorvald Stoltenberg Award to Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater Kirkenes: Pikene på Broen and the Samovar Theater have received an honorary award for their years-long efforts to involve artists from the entire Barents region and convey its shared history. "Despite the current demanding situation, the actors are able to contribute to contact and tolerance between neighboring countries in the region," the jury states.
The Kirkenes Conference One Year Later: Increased Attention and Greater Relevance After the Kirkenes Conference in 2022, its management was met with questions about the basis for future conferences, which have border-crossing cooperation in the Barents region as its purpose. "On the contrary, we experience increased attention and a greater relevance," says the the Program Committee Leader Guro Brandshaug.
The Kirkenes Conference One Year Later: Increased Attention and Greater Relevance After the Kirkenes Conference in 2022, its management was met with questions about the basis for future conferences, which have border-crossing cooperation in the Barents region as its purpose. "On the contrary, we experience increased attention and a greater relevance," says the the Program Committee Leader Guro Brandshaug.
Welcomes Participants to the Kirkenes Conference: “Perhaps More Important than Ever” Not only will there be a Kirkenes Conference 2022, it will even be an in-person conference in Kirkenes on 23-24 February.
