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DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

US to open diplomatic post in north Norway

The United States will open its first diplomatic post north of the Arctic Circle in Norway as climate change raises interest in the region, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday.

Pictured is Tromso.
The US will open a diplomatic post in Tromsø, northern Norway. Pictured is Tromso. Photo by Dimitris Kiriakakis on Unsplash

The so-called observation post, generally staffed by a single American diplomat, will open in Tromso, the largest city in Norwegian Lapland, and be the northernmost United States diplomatic facility.

Speaking in Oslo at a NATO meeting, Blinken said the United States wanted to “work with like-minded allies to advance our vision of a peaceful, stable, prosperous and cooperative Arctic.”

“Our entire approach is to make sure that the Arctic remains an area of peaceful cooperation,” Blinken told reporters, saying the post would focus on climate change and working with indigenous people.

The United States, nearby Russia as well as China have increasingly viewed the Arctic as strategic as climate change decreases ice in the northern ocean.

In 2020, the United States, reopened a post in Nuuk, Greenland, which lies just south of the Arctic Circle.

Norway in May took over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council, a once low-key regional body whose meetings were largely suspended after member
Russia invaded Ukraine.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said she was “very happy” with Washington’s decision.

“Norway and the United States have cooperated closely on Arctic issues for a long time,” Huitfeldt said in an e-mail sent by her office.

“I am sure that this will strengthen our cooperation with the United States further,” she added.

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POLITICS

Norway calls recognition of Palestinian state ‘special day’

Norway hailed its recognition Tuesday of a Palestinian state as a special day and denounced Israel's lack of "constructive commitment" for a two-state solution.

Norway calls recognition of Palestinian state 'special day'

“Norway has been one of the most fervent defenders of a Palestinian state for more than 30 years,” Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said in a statement.

“The day that Norway officially recognises Palestine as a state is a special day for Norway-Palestine relations.”

In a move coordinated with Spain and Ireland, Norway announced last week it would formally recognise the State of Palestine as of Tuesday.

Israel slammed the decision as a “reward” for Hamas more than seven months into the devastating Gaza war.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz immediately announced he was recalling the country’s envoys to the three nations, and summoned the three countries’ ambassadors for talks.

Despite the criticism, Barth Eide on Sunday in Brussels formally informed Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Mustafa of Norway’s decision.

“It is regrettable that the Israeli government shows no sign of constructive commitment,” Barth Eide said Tuesday, calling on the international community to boost its efforts for a two-state solution.

“I trust the Palestinian government will continue the difficult reform work and lay the groundwork for governance in the West Bank as well as Gaza after a ceasefire,” he said.

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