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Norwegian defence policy slammed as ‘anti-Russian’ in Moscow statement

The Russian foreign ministry has criticized Nato member Norway’s foreign policy as being hostile to Russia.

Published: 24 October 2019 17:22 CEST
Norwegian defence policy slammed as 'anti-Russian' in Moscow statement
U.S. Admiral James G Foggo speaks at a ceremony to mark the end of 2018 Nato exercises in Norway. Photo: AFP

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov will take up the issue with authorities in Oslo, NRK and Reuters report.

The Russian statement said Moscow was concerned by Norwegian military spending and development of military infrastructure in the Scandinavian country.

“Military infrastructure is being modernized, new weapons are being bought. The plans to develop the armed forces are clearly anti-Russian,” the ministry statement read.

“Such a situation can only alarm us,” it added.

The ministry stated that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to raise the concerns at talks with his Norwegian counterpart Ine Eriksen Søreide in Kirkenes, the northeastern Norway town close to the Russian and Finnish borders.

Norwegian territory is being more actively used by other Nato member states, the Russian ministry also wrote.

Strong criticism of a neighbouring country by Russia one the eve of high-level talks between the countries is unusual, according to NRK’s report.

Russian authorities have also previously criticized regular stationing of US soldiers in Norway.

The meeting between the two countries was in part intended to mark the 75-year-anniversary of the World War II liberation of the Øst-Finnmark region by the Soviet Union.

That is now likely to be overshadowed by diplomatic tension.

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NATO

Sweden strikes deal with Turkey over Nato membership

Sweden has finally won the backing of Turkey's President Erdogan for its Nato membership, with a deal struck on the eve of the alliance's Vilnius summit opening the way for Turkish ratification "as soon as possible".

Published: 10 July 2023 21:40 CEST
Sweden strikes deal with Turkey over Nato membership

“President Erdogan has agreed to forward the Accession Protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification,” Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after the deal was struck. “This is a historic step which makes all Nato allies stronger and safer.” 

At the press conference, Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson, said it had been “a long day in a long journey towards Swedish membership”. 

“I am extremely happy,” he said. “This is a good day for Sweden”. 

In a separate joint statement, Sweden repeated its commitments to help Turkey in its “fight against terrorism” making an addition pledge to support Turkey’s in its long-stalled efforts to join the EU. 

“Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiye’s EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and
visa liberalisation,” the statement said.

In return, Turkey said it “will transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly, and work closely with the Assembly to ensure ratification.”

Turkey has been holding up Sweden’s application to join the Atlantic alliance, accusing Stockholm of harbouring Kurdish activists Ankara regards as
terrorists.

And on Monday, Erdogan upped the stakes further, demanding that the European Union revive Turkey’s stalled EU membership bid as a precondition for Sweden joining Nato.

Shortly before the deal was announced Erdogan interrupted his talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to hold talks with Charles Michel, the President of the EU Council. 

Michel hailed a “good meeting”, adding that they had “explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Turkey cooperation back to the forefront and re-energise our relations”.

Turkey has been a formal candidate to join the European Union since 2005, and an aspirant since long before that, but talks have long been stalled with little sign of life.

US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement. 

“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area,” he said in a statement, adding: “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO ally.”

“The path for Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s membership of Nato is finally clear,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on Twitter, hailing the “good news from Vilnius”.

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