While the embassies of several countries have asked for more time before replying to the invitation to attend this year's Nobel Prize Ceremony, King Harald has announced his presence.
The Oslo embassies of countries like India, Pakistan and Japan have asked for more time, saying they are awaiting instruction from their government about whether or not they will be allowed to be present at the award ceremony.
This follows pressure from the Chinese authorities, who have reportedly asked several embassies to not attend this year's award ceremony on December 10th.
The Swedish ambassador to Oslo, Ingrid Hjelt af Trolle, confirms to public broadcaster NRK that she has received a letter from the Chinese embassy. She says the letter urges all not to participate in anything that may disturb or destroy for China.
It is still not clear who will receive the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Liu Xiaobo, who is presently serving an 11 year jail sentence.
(NRK)
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (photo)were present when the UN Security Council Chamber in New York was reopened after the renovation.
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Friday was the nomination deadline for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. One of the hottest candidates is a 15-year-old student from Pakistan.
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Before he headed back to Germany after the Nobel Peace Prize celebrations, President of the EU, Martin Schulz requested a special visit to Utøya, the scene of the July 22nd massacre in Norway.
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During their stay for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, the EU leaders discussed the economic situation in Europe, at a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.
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More than 20 EU heads of state and government leaders were present at the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony at the Oslo City Hall on Monday. Present were also King Harald and members of the Royal Family.
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The Norwegian police estimate that they will be spending between NOK 10 and 17 million on security precautions in connection with the Nobel Peace Prize festivities in Oslo this week.
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The Oslo police have imposed a ban on all non-commercial air traffic over the Norwegian capital during the Nobel Peace Prze celebrations next week. The air force will monitor the air space.
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Roughly two weeks before the Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded in Oslo, the police still do not know who will attend the ceremony, and what level of security they will require.
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Norway officially became a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting process during the opening ceremony of the 9th ASEM Summit in Vientiane, Laos on Monday. (Photo: Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg)
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Even though the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, over 70 per cent of Norwegians remain opposed to EU membership.
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In Norway, only one out of four is positive to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the European Union, according to a poll made for Aftenposten by ResponsAnalyse .
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