Foreign relations of Norway

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The foreign relations of Norway are based on the country's membership in NATO and within the workings of the United Nations (UN). Norway's foreign ministry includes both the minister of foreign affairs and minister of international development.

Contents 1 History 2 Elements of policy 2.1 Strategic alliances 2.2 International cooperation 2.3 Third party mediation in international conflicts 2.4 International disputes 3 Bilateral Relations 3.1 Bulgaria 3.2 Canada 3.3 Cyprus 3.4 Denmark 3.5 Estonia 3.6 Finland 3.7 Greece 3.8 Hungary 3.9 Iceland 3.10 Ireland 3.11 Israel 3.12 Kosovo 3.13 Nepal 3.14 Norway 3.15 Romania 3.16 Russia 3.17 Serbia 3.18 Ukraine 3.19 United States 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

History

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was established on the same day that Norway declared the dissolution of the union with Sweden, June 7, 1905. Although diplomats could not present credentials at foreign governments until the Swedish king formally renounced his right to the Norwegian throne, a number of unofficial representatives worked on the provisional government's behalf until the first Norwegian ambassador, Hjalmar Christian Hauge sought accreditation with the United States Secretary of State Elihu Root on November 6, 1905.

The initial purpose of the newly formed Foreign Ministry was both to represent Norway's interests through diplomatic channels, and to provide consular services for Norwegian shipping and commerce overseas. In 1906, the Storting decided to establish six embassies in Europe, with two more in the Americas: one in the United States and one in Argentina. 20 consular offices were also opened.

During World War I, the foreign ministry was confronted with unprecedented challenges in maintaining neutrality for Norway, in particular in order to protect its merchant fleet.

In 1922, the ministry was consolidated and reorganised to ensure fuller cooperation between the diplomatic and consular branches. The reorganization included the formation of a designated career path for diplomats that included completion of a university entrance examination and professional experience from international trade. The economic hardship of the times forced austerity measures at the ministry for the next several years.

When Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1940, the government fled to the United Kingdom and reconstituted in exile in Bracknell, outside of London. Kingston House in London was later used. The government moved back to Norway following the peace in 1945.

After the end of World War II, Norway was a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the United Nations, the latter having Norwegian Trygve Lie as inaugural Secretary-General.

Elements of policy

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Since the end of the Cold War, Norway has developed a model to foreign policy known as the "Norwegian model," the goal of which is to contribute to peace and stability through coordinated response among governmental and non-governmental Norwegian organizations; acting as an honest broker in international conflicts; an informal network of Norwegian individuals with access and credibility among parties; and the willingness to take the long view in international issues.

The post-war foreign policy of Norway can be described along four dimensions:

Strategic alliances

Norway's strategic importance for waging war in the North Atlantic became important in the failed neutrality policy of World War II. Norway became a founding member of NATO in order to ally itself with countries that shared its democratic values. Both through diplomatic and military cooperation, Norway has played a visible role in the formation and operations of NATO. It allowed a limited number of military bases and exercises to be based in its territories, which caused some controversy when NATO decided to put forward bases in Northern Norway in preparation for a conflict with the Soviet Union.

International cooperation

Norway supports international cooperation and the peaceful settlement of disputes, recognizing the need for maintaining a strong national defence through collective security. Accordingly, the cornerstones of Norwegian policy are active membership in NATO and support for the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Norway also pursues a policy of economic, social, and cultural cooperation with other Nordic countries--Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland--through the Nordic Council. Its relations with Iceland are very close due to the cultural bond the two nations share. Norway ended a 2-year term on the UN Security Council in January 2003, and chaired the Iraq Sanctions Committee.

Norway is the only Scandinavian country that is not a member of the European Union. Membership has been proposed within Norway, and referendums over Norwegian membership were held in 1972 and 1994. Popular opinion was split between rural and urban areas. See Norway and the European Union.

The present government is not planning to raise the possibility for future membership.

Norway also has a history of co-operation and friendship with the United Kingdom, due to their shared cultural heritage since Viking times. The Vikings conquered areas including the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland for several hundred years. Norway is only 300 kilometres (159 Nautical miles) east of Unst, the northernmost island of Shetland. The Norwegian embassy to the United Kingdom is located in London, and Norway also maintains a Consulate General in Edinburgh. A Norway Spruce is given by the city of Oslo and presented to London as a Christmas tree for display in Trafalgar Square as a token of gratitude for the UK's support during World War II. King Haakon, his son Crown Prince Olav and the country's government lived in exile in London throughout the war. As part of the tradition, the Lord Mayor of Westminster visits Oslo in the late autumn to take part in the felling of the tree, and the Mayor of Oslo then goes to London to light the tree at the Christmas ceremony.

Third party mediation in international conflicts

Norway has played an active role as a third party mediator in a number of international conflicts. The late foreign minister Johan Jørgen Holst was instrumental in forging the Oslo Accords between Israel and the PLO. Thorvald Stoltenberg was part of the unsuccessful mediation team in seeking an end to the war in Bosnia. Norway has contributed both mediation services and financial assistance in Guatemala.

As of 2005, Norwegian diplomats are acting as mediators in Sudan, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, and Colombia. Some of those countries accuse Norway of supporting and propping up separatist groups. Israel is often bitter with harsh criticisms from Norwegian politicians. The spat was at its highest when finance minister Kristin Halvorsen supported boycott of Israeli goods.^[1] in early 2006. Finance ministry spokesman, Runar Malkenes, told the BBC News website that "there are no moves to push for a boycott of Israeli goods" at government level.^[2] Eritrea has been actively supported by Norway during its liberation from Ethiopia.^[3] As of recent, Ethiopia expelled six Norwegian diplomats due to Norway's alleged support to 'Terrorist group and Eritrea'.^[4] Norway retaliated by cutting aid to Ethiopia.

International disputes

Territorial claims in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and Peter I Island) and a border dispute with Russia over the Barents Sea.

Bilateral Relations

Bulgaria

• The two countries established formal relations in 1906-08-20
• Since April 1918, Bulgaria has embassy in Oslo.^[5]
• Norway has embassy in Sofia and an honorary consulate in Varna.^[6]
• Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and of NATO.

Canada

• Canada has an embassy in Oslo.^[7]
• Norway has an embassy in Ottawa and 3 general consulates in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.^[8]
• Both countries are full members of the Arctic Council, of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, of NATO and of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
• There are 433,000 people of Norwegian descent living in Canada.
• Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade about relations with Norway

Cyprus

• The two countries established formal relations in 1963-03-22
• Cyprus is represented in Norway through its embassy in Stockholm (Sweden) and 2 honorary consulates (in Oslo and Kristiansand).
• Norway is represented in Cyprus through its embassy in Athens (Greece) and an honorary consulate in Nicosia.^[9]

Denmark

Both countries have a very long history together, both countries were part of the Kalmar Union between 1397 and 1523. Norway was in Union with Denmark between 1537 and 1814. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after Norway’s independence. Denmark has an embassy in Oslo. Norway has an embassy in Copenhagen. Both countries are full members of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, of NATO, and of the Council of Europe. There are around 15,000 Norwegian people living in Denmark and around 20,000 Danish people living in Norway.^[10]

Estonia

Finland

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Iceland has an embassy in Oslo and Norway has an embassy in Reykjavik. In 2007, the two countries signed a defence agreement, covering surveillance and military defense of Icelandic air space and economic zone. It means that Norwegian jet fighters and surveillance aircraft will be patrolling Icelandic air space. It is underlined that the agreement with Norway only covers peace time. In case of a military conflict it is still NATO and the United States Government that will carry the main responsibility for Iceland's defence.^[11] The agreement was signed following the decision to pullout US military from the Keflavík naval air base.^[12]

Ireland

Israel

Norway was one of the first countries to recognize Israel on February 4, 1949. Both countries established diplomatic relation later that year. Israel has an embassy in Oslo.^[13] Norway has an embassy in Tel Aviv and 2 honorary consulates (in Eilat and Haifa).^[14]

• See also History of the Jews in Norway
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: information about the relation with Norway

Kosovo

Norway recognized Kosovo in 28 March 2008.^[15] Norway has an embassy in Pristina, while Kosovo has hinted that it will include Norway in the second wave of embassy openings.

Nepal

Diplomatic relations were established on 26 January 1973. Norway established an embassy in Kathmandu in 2000.^[16] Norway's aid to Nepal was around 2 million NOK in 2008. Norwegian aid prioritizes education, good governance and energy.^{[citation needed]} In 2008, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg and Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim visited Nepal.^[17] In 2009, Prime Minister Prachanda visited Norway.^[18] In May 2008, a small bomb exploded outside the Norwegian embassy in Kathmandu. No one was injured.^[19][20]

Norway

• Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after Norway’s independence. New Zealand is represent in Norway by the embassy in the Hague, Netherlands. Norway is represent in New Zealand by the embassy in Canberra, Australia.

• There are around 1,400 Norwegians living in New Zealand and 409 New Zealanders living in Norway.^[21]

• Reidar Sveaas, director of P&O Maritime Ltd. and honorary consul to Auckland said in 2000 that excellent opportunities existed for New Zealand to trade with the world's second largest oil-producing country, Norway.^[22]

• New Zealand joined 11 other countries in 2006 in delivering a formal diplomatic protest to the Norwegian Foreign Ministry in Oslo over Norway's plans to increase its whaling activities.^[23]

• In 2004 Helen Clark, became the first New Zealand prime minister to ever visit Norway. She said that both countries see eye-to-eye on almost everything but the commercial harvesting of whales.^[24]

Romania

• The two countries established formal relations in 1917-04-03
• Norway has an embassy in Bucharest and an honorary consulate in Constanţa.^[25]
• Romania has an embassy in Oslo and 4 honorary consulates (in Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Trondheim).^[26]
• Both countries are full members of NATO and of the Council of Europe.

Russia

• The two countries established formal relations in 1905-10-30^[27]
• Russia has an embassy in Oslo and consulates in Barentsburg and Kirkenes.^[28]
• Norway has an embassy in Moscow, and consulates in Murmansk and Saint Petersburg.^[29]
• Both the environmentally devastating emissions from the Norilsk Nickel plant outside Nikel in the Murmansk Oblast, and the territorial dispute over the Barents Sea have for decades been unresolved issues in Norway–Soviet, then Norway–Russia relations.

Serbia

• Norway has an embassy in Belgrade, led by ambassador Haakon Blankenborg.^[30]
• Serbia has an embassy in Oslo.^[31]
• Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
• Norway supported the 1999 NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and later participated in the Kosovo Force.

Ukraine

• The two countries established formal relations in 1992
• Norway recognized Ukraine’s independence in 1991
• Norway has an embassy in Kiev.^[32]
• Ukraine has an embassy and an honorary consulate in Oslo.^[33]
• Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe.
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: information about relations with Ukraine

United States

The United States and Norway have a long tradition of positive relations. There are millions of Norwegian-Americans in the United States and around 10,000 U.S. citizens residing in Norway.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Norway
• List of diplomatic missions of Norway
• Norway and the European Union
• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

References

External links

• Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
• History of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norwegian)

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