Russia's military aggression against Ukraine means that Norway is keeping contacts with the Russian authorities to a minimum. All this on an equal footing with other countries and European allies. However, the necessary cooperation to maintain safety and security is maintained.
– This is not something we do lightly, but we have to react. Russia must understand that they hold the key to solving this situation. Our actions are aimed at the political regime, not at the Russian people, says the minister foreign affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.
Russia's military activity makes it difficult to establish good cross-border cooperation
Border cooperation in the north has long been a challenge due to Russia's strong authoritarian rule. The situation of civil society is very demanding today. At the same time, the uncertainty resulting from Russia's military operations makes it even more difficult to establish good cross-border cooperation. Unfortunately, all this will be felt locally. The population living in the north of Norway will undoubtedly be affected in particular by this. The government will continue to support people-to-people cooperation and contacts. The Barents Secretariat in Kirkenes and many Norwegian organizations are crucial to this activity.
The Nordic Council of Ministers freezes cooperation with Russia and Belarus
- The meetings of the Arctic Council and the Barents Council are postponed until further notice. We will talk about how cooperation can and should be developed in the future, says Foreign Minister Huitfeldt.
The Nordic Council of Ministers freezes cooperation with Russia and Belarus. Nordic cooperation ministers are united for this decision.
- It is not possible to continue cooperation as before - said Minister for Development Aid, Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, Minister of Nordic Cooperation in Norway.
Belarus suspended as observer country in the Baltic Council
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Germany and the EU decided to suspend Russia from the Baltic Council. Belarus has been suspended as an observer country in the Baltic Council.
- We regret that Russia has created a situation in which we, the other eleven members, are no longer able to cooperate with Russia in the Baltic Sea Council. Russia is one of the founders of the council and has been an active participant in it so far, says Foreign Minister Huitfeldt, who is currently managing cooperation in the Baltic Council due to the Norwegian presidency since July 2021.
Necessary government contacts with Russia on critical social functions and sustainable resource management in the north will continue until further notice.
Source: regjeringen
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