Press Releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Norway will provide NOK 160 million to help Greece deal with its large number of asylum seekers and migrants. This funding will be provided under the EEA and Norway Grants. Read more

Monday, the UNESCO General Conferance admitted Palestine as a Member of the Organisation. Norway voted for Palestinian membership. Read more

Torrential rains have caused floods and landslides across Central America. El Salvador is one of the countries that have been worst hit. Norway is providing NOK 5 million for the rescue effort there. Read more

“The election of a national constituent assembly in Tunisia is an important step forward for the country,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

“I hope that a declaration of independence will be issued soon. This would mark the beginning of a new democratic process in the country, which would lead to the formation of an interim government and the holding of national elections in the near future,” said Mr Støre. Read more

The Norwegian business sector is being invited to take part in the Norwegian-Hungarian cooperation on green innovation. A separate environmental innovation programme is being set up under the EEA and Norway Grants, with a framework of NOK 160 million Read more

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I welcome the agreement between Hamas and Israel on the release of Gilad Shalit and exchange of prisoners. Norway’s position all along has been that Shalit’s imprisonment was unacceptable, and we have been among the countries actively working for his release Read more

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “The way in which the trial of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, was conducted, raises serious questions. It has created an impression that the trial was politically motivated, which is cause for serious concern.” Read more

“I am concerned about developments in Cairo over the last 24 hours, and deeply deplore the extensive use of violence against Coptic protesters on 9 October. Egypt plays a key role in the region, and it is vital that the democratic transition process doesn’t come to a halt,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

“The Arab Spring has shown that efforts to promote democracy and human rights make a difference,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The Government has increased its allocation to efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the budget for 2012 by NOK 45 million. Read more

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs commented, “The budget for 2012 reflects the fact that the High North is the Government’s most important strategic foreign policy priority. Our focus areas in the High North include petroleum exploration, simplified border-crossing procedures with Russia and a new technology building at the University of Tromsø.” Read more

“The global financial crisis is hitting people in need hard. The Government is therefore increasing its humanitarian contribution by NOK 183 million, to a total of NOK 2.2 billion in 2012,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The Norwegian Government has allocated NOK 27.8 billion for development in poor countries in 2012. This is a record high aid budget. Efforts on climate change, renewable energy and agriculture will be intensified. Read more

Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim presented the first report on effects of the Norwegian Government’s policies on development in poor countries. Read more

“The building of settlements on occupied land is illegal and a violation of international law. I deplore the fact that the Israeli Government, by approving the construction of these homes in East Jerusalem, is undermining the opportunities for resuming peace negotiations,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

Statement on the elections in Zambia by Mr. Erik Solheim, Minister of the Environment and International Development, Norway. Read more

“The Syrian authorities are continuing their brutal treatment of the people of the country and disregarding the appeals from the international community to refrain from using violence. The EU therefore decided today to reinforce its sanctions against Syria, and Norway aligns itself with this decision,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. On 23 September the Council of the Europea... Read more

“It is deeply regrettable that Iran, despite strong international reactions, today executed the juvenile offender Alireza Mollasoltani in a public ceremony,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

“I strongly condemn the attack in which Burhanuddin Rabbani and several others were killed. This was not just an attack on Mr Rabbani and his colleagues, but a serious assault on the Afghan Government and the ongoing stabilisation efforts,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

Seven African coastal states are receiving assistance from Norway to establish new limits to their continental shelves. This will help these countries to gain jurisdiction over their own oil and gas resources. Read more