Press Releases from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Norway will provide NOK 40 million to the flood victims in Pakistan. The situation is critical and the number of victims keeps rising. The country has been hit by extreme rainfall just one year after the worst flood in its history. Read more

Today, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for assistance to the Palestinians (AHLC) commended the Palestinian Authority for its implementation of the government programme over the last three years, and confirmed that it would continue to provide support to complete institution building and ensure a sustainable Palestinian economy. Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “We... Read more

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I am pleased that the UN Sanctions Committee has agreed to Norway’s request to release the USD 370 million belonging to the Central Bank of Libya that are currently in Norwegian bank accounts. This is an important means of helping the country’s new authorities in a difficult transition period.” Read more

Norway demands that humanitarian access should be allowed to the two conflict-affected states in Sudan and urges the parties to engage in political negotiations. Read more

“The attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo last night is very serious. Norway condemns the violence and the violation of embassy premises and deplores the loss of life,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The Government is to increase its support to the victims of the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa to NOK 620 million. Read more

“The Syrian regime has not stopped the violence against its own people in spite of international condemnation. We agree with the clear signals from the EU to the regime in Syria. Norway will therefore align itself with the EU’s expanded sanctions against Syria,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The Nordic and Baltic countries have today signed a memorandum of understanding on the posting of diplomats at each other's missions abroad. Read more

“I strongly condemn today’s attack on the UN building in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. We were deeply saddened to hear that a Norwegian UN employee is among those who were killed,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

“Norway recognises that the National Transition Council (NTC) is at this stage the legitimate governing authority in Libya and will deal with it accordingly,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim has visited one of Kenya’s many refugee camps for victims of the food crisis. Read more

Norwegian Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim has visited one of Kenya’s many refugee camps for victims of the food crisis. He is seriously concerned about the situation in the Horn of Africa. Read more

Norway is concerned about the arrest of the prominent Belarusian human rights defender Ales Bialiatski. “Mr Bialiatski’s arrest gives grounds for serious concern,” commented Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

“I am delighted that the UN Secretary-General has appointed Hilde Frafjord Johnson as his new special representative for South Sudan. Norway has actively promoted this important appointment,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said, “We congratulate South Sudan on becoming the world’s newest state. Norway has been an active player in the peace process in Sudan, and we will continue our engagement with both South Sudan and Sudan.” Read more

Former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik will take part in a new international panel that will fight for children’s education in poor countries. Read more

All Norwegian missions abroad now offer visa applicants the opportunity to use an online system. Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “This will give visa applicants a much better service and reduce the processing time for applications.” Read more

On 9 July, Africa’s largest country will be divided, and the state of South Sudan will come into being. In recent weeks, there has once again been fighting in the border areas. Norway is now providing an additional NOK 50 million for humanitarian relief in Sudan. Read more

“We expect Libya to cooperate with the ICC. The warrants of arrest issued by the Court are based on serious charges against key Libyan leaders, and underline the importance of working to put an end to impunity for atrocities against civilians,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The Norwegian Government will provide NOK 30 million for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Read more