News

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I am very pleased that a considerable number of political prisoners have been released in Myanmar. This is an important step forward on the country’s path to democracy, peace and reconciliation.” Read more

The Government has decided that it will no longer urge Norwegian companies to refrain from trade and investment in Myanmar. This was an exclusively Norwegian policy. The decision has been made in response to the progress being made in Myanmar. Norway continues to align itself with the EU sanction regime, which will be considered more closely in the course of the spring. Read more

“Norway has today offered up to 6 billion SDR (equivalent to 7 billion euros) to the International Monetary Fund, as a bilateral loan to contribute to stabilising the European and international economy, and thus also to safeguard the Norwegian economy and Norwegian jobs”, says Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Read more

Norwegian films became the big winner at Europe's largest film festival of Nordic Cinema taking place in Lübeck. Marius Holst's King of Devil's Island about a rebellion on a prison island in the Oslofjord in 1915, starring Stellan Skarsgård, won both the renowned NDR Award for Best Feature Film and the much coveted Lübecker Nachrichten Audience Award. Coming Home by Anders Øvergård received the... Read more

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

“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

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

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

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

The Royal Norwegian Embassy participated at the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference (IGEM) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from 7 – 10 October. Together with two Norwegian companies, DNV and Eltek Valere, the Embassy provided visitors and delegates with information about Norwegian initiatives on renewable energy and green technology. 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

The Norwegian authorities are aware of several cases where a Norwegian national has entered into an agreement with a local woman under which the latter undertakes to give birth to a child at a clinic and to turn over the child to the Norwegian national in return for payment (i.e. surrogacy). Read more

Lately the Embassy has got aware of scams directed to Malaysians. Read more

Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “Supporting human rights defenders has high priority in Norway’s efforts to strengthen human rights and is an investment in the rule of law and democracy.” Read more

Today, a new, independent National Contact Point was established for following up Norwegian companies’ compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Guidelines cover areas such as sustainable development, respect for human rights and employees’ labour rights. Read more

At the Norwegian Food and Consumer Fair at the Empire Shopping Gallery. Read more

This week Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg attends the annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos. A central topic is the “Nordic experience”. Read more

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life during the protests in Egypt,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more

The International Ibsen Scholarships were initiated by the Norwegian government and will be handed out for the 4th time in 2011. Read more