The Norwegian government has condemned the violence used during demonstrations in Libya, Bahrein and Yemen, in which a number of people have been killed, and many said to have been arrested.
“I condemn the use of violence against peaceful protesters in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Mr Støre says he is concerned about the situation in these countries and urges the authorities to refrain from violence, respect the right to freedom of expression and allow peaceful demonstrations.
“The protests in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen are an expression of the people’s desire for more participatory democracy. The authorities must respect fundamental human rights such as political, economic and social rights. It is now vital that all parties do their utmost to foster peaceful dialogue on reforms,” said Foreign Minister Støre.
During the past few days, there have been massive demonstrations in Libya, Bahrain and Yemen. A number of people are reported to have been killed, and many are said to have been arrested in connection with the demonstrations.
“The protesters are calling for greater political freedom. Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights and are prerequisites for democratic development. Norway supports the people’s desire to live in a society where political and social rights are safeguarded,” the Norwegian Foreign Minister says.
In his foreign policy address to Parliament (Stortinget), Foreign Affairs Minister Espen Barth Eide said that we are living in a time of transition, a time of global changes in terms of power and influence.
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“The Government will in 2013 give priority to increasing our knowledge of the High North, as well as to strengthening Norway’s activities and presence in the region,” says Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
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The Norwegian government is to provide NOK 105 million over a five-year period to the Research Council of Norway’s programme on Russia and international relations in the High North/Arctic (NORRUSS).
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The Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, is on Monday visiting Norway for political talks with Foreign Minister Jons Gahr Støre.
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Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg is said to have prevented King Harald from handing out the Military Cross to war veterans on Veterans Day, on Sunday May 8th, Dagbladet reports.
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The High North is the Norwegian Government’s number one foreign policy priority, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, speaking at the Arctic Frontiers (AFT) 5th annual conference in Tromsø.
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Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has been widely criticised for allegedly having warned Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjørn Jagland about Chinese opposition to awarding the Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo.
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Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre is in Afghanistan, where he has visited the Norwegian soldier who was wounded last Friday. He will also visit the two Norwegian military camps in Northern Afghanistan.
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The Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs has been given the responsibility for setting up a new, full-spectrum monitoring and information system for the Northern sea and coastal areas (“BarentsWatch”).
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Hizbollah has strongly criticised UN's special envoy to the Middle East, the Norwegian diplomat Terje Roed-Larsen, accusing him of being Israel's errand boy...
