Press Releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“The election of a new parliament in Ukraine was largely in line with international standards, but the country still faces major democratic challenges,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide commented. Read more

Aid funds that were intended to go towards reconstruction efforts in northern Uganda have been misused. This misuse of funds was discovered by the Office of the Auditor General of Uganda. Read more

“Norway is aligning itself with the EU’s reinforced sanctions against Syria,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Read more

Norway is to help Bhutan achieve its target of providing access to electricity for the entire population and of ensuring that the country’s substantial hydropower revenues are used to benefit all the people of Bhutan. Norway is to provide NOK 100 million in funding over a five-year period. Read more

According to reports by Human Rights Watch, cluster munitions are being used in the conflict in Syria. “The use of cluster munitions is completely unacceptable and is incompatible with the norm established by the international community under the Convention on Cluster Munitions,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Read more

“Norway and the EU share basic attitudes and values. Norway’s cooperation with the EU is important for Norwegian companies, for value creation and for Norwegian society in general. The Government intends to manage Norway’s current agreements with the EU well, and will make active use of the opportunities provided by these agreements to promote Norway’s interests,” said Minister of Foreign Affai... Read more

The World Trade Organization (WTO) carries out regular reviews of member countries’ trade policies. This week the focus is on Norway. Norway has received close to 300 written comments and specific questions from other WTO member countries. Read more

For 20 years, the research vessel Dr Fridtjof Nansen has provided support for surveys of the fish resources off the coasts of more than 60 poor countries. The Government is now allocating around NOK 440 million to procure a new research vessel to replace Dr Fridtjof Nansen. Read more

For the first time ever, Norway’s aid budget exceeds NOK 30 billion. Equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, green energy and gender equality are major priority areas in the proposed development assistance budget for 2013. Read more

A new ice-class research vessel, the development of the monitoring and information system BarentsWatch and a new technology building at the University of Tromsø are among the areas of Norway’s High North policy that are to be given priority in 2013. Read more

The Government has proposed allocating NOK 140 million to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to strengthen security at the diplomatic and consular missions as well as at the Ministry in Oslo. Read more

Every year, almost 300 000 women die in connection with pregnancy and childbirth, and 6.9 million children die from preventable diseases. Many of these women and children could be saved if they had access to simple and affordable medicines. The Government proposes an additional allocation of NOK 650 million to significantly step up Norway’s efforts in the area of maternal and child health. Read more

Sudan and South Sudan have signed agreements on important issues relating to oil, nationality, security and borders. Read more

Norway and Canada have today requested the WTO to appoint the members of the dispute settlement panel established to consider whether the EU legislation on trade in seal products is consistent with its obligations under WTO rules. Read more

"We share a common responsibility to promote the realisation of a two-state solution. That is why it is essential to safeguard the institutions that will form the foundation for a future Palestinian state," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, who chaired the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) for assistance to the Palestinians in New York on Sunday. Read more

“Somalia has taken an important step towards political stability and peace with the election of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s new president,” said Minister of International Development Heikki Holmås. Read more

“Norway condemns the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi in Libya in the strongest terms,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

Today, Norway and the World Food Programme (WFP) signed a four-year agreement on Norwegian funding of NOK 245 million a year, amounting to a total of nearly NOK 1 billion. Read more

– Norway welcomes the announcement from Bogota that direct talks are to be held between the Colombian Government and FARC-EP, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The Nordic foreign and defence ministers agreed at their meting in Bodø, North Norway, on 2–3 September to support the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre. The centre will play a key role in documenting the extensive human rights abuses that are being committed in the country. Read more