‘I am deeply concerned about the high number of casualties in Gaza, the suffering of the civilian population and the widespread destruction, especially of infrastructure that is vital to ensure a rapid and effective medical response. Humanitarian actors are working to provide access to clean water, health services and food, as well as personal protective equipment for limiting the spread of the coronavirus. This is why Norway is now increasing its humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people by NOK 30 million,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

The funds will be channelled through the UN and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. This increase in humanitarian aid comes in addition to NOK 71 million in humanitarian support provided to the Palestinians so far this year. Norway is also considering further contributions to Gaza through existing agreements with Norwegian humanitarian organisations.

‘In particular, we will help to strengthen the protection of children and provide health care, shelter, food, water and sanitation. Norway urges the parties to take steps to ensure that humanitarian actors have safe and unimpeded access to people in need of help,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

There was already a high level of humanitarian need before the conflict flared up. Of Gaza’s total population of approximately two million people, 53 % were living in poverty and more than 1.3 million were experiencing food shortages. The situation has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The people of Gaza are now suffering from an acute shortage of food, fuel and medicines, and there is an urgent need for physical and psychological health care.

‘The military attacks on targets in Gaza are having a severe impact on civilians. We condemn all attacks on civilians. All parties to conflict have an obligation to protect civilians from the effects of hostilities,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide.

Norway is continuing its efforts in the UN Security Council to put pressure on the parties to stop the violence immediately and agree to a ceasefire.

Norway is a major donor to Palestine and provided a total of NOK 881 million in support in 2020, which included humanitarian aid, long-term development aid and Norway’s contribution to UNRWA (the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

(MFA – Norway)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met today in Iceland with Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide, on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council.

During the meeting, they discussed cooperation between the two sides in the Arctic Council, the United Nations and NATO, efforts made to stop violence in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, focus on humanitarian challenges in Syria, and peace efforts in Afghanistan.

On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Norway as you celebrate the 207th anniversary of Constitution Day.

The United States and Norway share a strong commitment to global peace, economic development, human rights, and democratic values.  As NATO Allies, we are bolstering our collective defense capabilities and collaborating to meet today’s security challenges.  Our enduring partnership is further strengthened by our work in the Arctic Council, where we are advancing a vision of a more prosperous region, while addressing the global climate crisis and respecting the interests and cultures of indigenous peoples.  Our historic Transatlantic ties will grow even stronger as we continue to foster the people-to-people connections that define our friendship.

Best wishes to all Norwegians on this special day.

( ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE – USA)

Last month, the United States and Norway signed an updated defense deal called the Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement. It allows the U.S. to build new facilities at select Norwegian bases and gives the U.S. unimpeded access to and use of the facilities.

The deal was just one example of the increasing defense cooperation between the two NATO allies in recent years. The U.S. Marine Rotational Force Europe regularly deploys Marines to northern Norway for cold weather training. Next year, in fact, Norway will host NATO’s Cold Response drills, which will be attended of course by U.S. forces. Just this week, the USS New Mexico, a nuclear-powered Virginia-class attack submarine, arrived for a port call at a naval base near Tromso in northern Norway.

Their increasing interest in defense coordination is driven primarily by concerns over Russia – specifically, the access of Russian forces to two major northern routes. The Northern Sea Route, which runs along Russia’s Arctic coast, is increasingly opening up because of melting ice caps. The Arctic Bridge Route, which extends between Iceland and the United Kingdom and between Iceland and Greenland, could give Russia access to the Atlantic. The U.S. and Norway hope their cooperation will help stifle Moscow’s incursions in these two strategic pathways.

“The United States of America is Norway’s most important ally, and we have shared more than 70 years of close, constructive defence cooperation. The Agreement both updates and further develops the agreements and cooperation already in place between Norway and the U. S. The Agreement will play a vital role in ensuring Norwegian security within the framework of NATO”, said Minister of Defence Frank Bakke-Jensen.

The Supplementary Defense Cooperation Agreement (SDCA) updates and regulates practical aspects of U.S. military activity in Norway, and supplements existing agreements between Norway and the U.S. The Agreement was signed today by Norway’s Minister of Defence. The Agreement must be submitted to the Storting (Norwegian parliament) for consent before it can enter into force.

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‘Our cooperation with our Allies is under continuous development. The Agreement reaffirms Norway’s close relationship with the U.S. and confirms Norway’s key position on the northern flank of NATO. To ensure that Norway and our Allies can operate together in a crisis situation under difficult conditions, we must be able to hold exercises and train regularly here in Norway. The Agreement does not entail any changes to key Norwegian security policy principles. Our policies regarding the stationing of foreign forces on Norwegian territory, the stockpiling or deployment of nuclear weapons and port visits remain unchanged,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide. 

‘Norway’s defence rests on three main elements: the national defence capability, collective defence through NATO, and bilateral reinforcement plans with close allies. The ongoing development of defence cooperation with the US complements our own efforts to strengthen the capacity of the Norwegian Armed Forces,’ said Mr Bakke-Jensen.

The U.S. has entered into similar agreements with several Allied countries in Europe, to promote more predictable development of defence cooperation and ensure a robust and practical framework for providing reinforcements in the event of war or crisis.    

The Agreement establishes and regulates Agreed Facilities and Areas, which are specified locations that may be used for military purposes. Under the Agreement, US forces will have unimpeded access to and use of these facilities and areas. All U.S. activities shall be conducted with full respect for the sovereignty, laws, and international legal obligations of Norway. This is how the Allied presence in Norway has been organised since the end of the Second World War. Any US military activity carried out in Norway will continue to be subject to close coordination between Norway and the US.

Under the Agreement, Agreed Facilities and Areas will be established at Rygge Military Air Station and Airfield, Sola Military Air Station and Airfield, Evenes Military Air Station and Airfield and Ramsund Naval Station. These locations have been selected with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the U.S. in the air defence and maritime domains in years to come. Infrastructure investments may be made at all four locations. Projects within Agreed Facilities and Areas will be developed in consultation with the U.S., but funding must be allocated under the U.S. defence budget before projects can be initiated. As a result, it will take some time before any planned projects are completed. Additional Agreed Facilities and Areas may be established at a later date if Norway and the U.S. agree. This will also require the approval of the Norwegian Government and the consent of the Storting.

The Agreement will be presented to the Storting in two propositions: one to request consent to ratify the Agreement and the other to propose necessary legislation to implement it in Norwegian law. Both propositions will be submitted to the Storting during the autumn 2021 session. The draft legislation and the Agreement will be circulated to the public in spring 2021, with a three-month deadline.

Facts about the Agreement:

The SDCA provides the basis for further developing Norway’s longstanding defence cooperation with the U.S. The Agreement supplements existing bilateral agreements with the U.S., as well as NATO’s Agreement between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty Regarding the Status of Their Forces (NATO SOFA).

The Agreement regulates and facilitates U.S. presence, training and exercises in Norway, thus facilitating rapid U.S. reinforcement of Norway in the event of crisis or war.

The Agreement covers a wide range of rules that are important for regulating practical aspects of the activities of U.S. forces, such as entry and exit, jurisdiction, exemptions from taxes and duties, the use of contractors and welfare services, and prospective investments in infrastructure.

The Agreement provides a framework for close cooperation and consultations between Norwegian and U.S. authorities regarding activities and operational and security issues. The text explicitly states that ‘nothing in this Agreement alters Norwegian policies with regard to the stationing of foreign forces on Norwegian territory, and the stockpiling or deployment of nuclear weapons on Norwegian territory.’   

The Agreement introduces the concept of Agreed Facilities and Areas, which are defined as locations that are central to the development of practical defence cooperation. Agreed Facilities and Areas will be established at Rygge Military Air Station and Airfield, Sola Military Air Station and Airfield, Evenes Military Air Station and Airfield and Ramsund Naval Station. This primarily encompasses military areas, with the addition of airfield facilities such as runways and taxiways. These areas will be used jointly by Norwegian, U.S. and other Allied forces, and the U.S. may decide to provide infrastructure investments at these locations.

An extensive dialogue will be conducted with the U.S. regarding the use of Agreed Facilities and Areas, and prospective activities to be carried out there. Buildings and other infrastructure constructed and financed by the U.S. at these locations in the future will become the property of Norway, while the U.S. will have right of unimpeded access and use. It is too early to predict the costs that the Agreement will entail for Norway, but these may include costs for security measures and the hire of private land for exercises. If activities under the Agreement lead to an increase in Norwegian expenditure, this will be dealt with as part of the normal budget process.

In principle, the Agreement is open-ended, but after an initial term of ten years, it may be terminated with one year’s notice.

(MFA Norway)

‘Norway is increasing its support for efforts to protect civilians, improve food security and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced people in countries affected by crisis and conflict, and is providing a record-high NOK 6.3 billion in humanitarian funding,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.

Most of Norway’s 2021 humanitarian budget is being channelled through the UN, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. 

‘Today, many countries are experiencing complex crises. The humanitarian situation can change very quickly. The combined impacts of armed conflict, the coronavirus pandemic, climate change and extreme poverty are exacerbating humanitarian crises. It is vital for Norway to work with flexible humanitarian organisations that understand the local conditions,’ said Ms Eriksen Søreide. 

The number of people in need of humanitarian aid and protection worldwide is higher than ever before. According to UN estimates, some 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2021. This is an increase of 40 % from last year.

‘An increasing number of people do not have enough food. Some 270 million people in 79 countries are now on the brink of or are already facing a hunger crisis, and armed conflict is the primary cause. At the same time, more and more people are being forced to flee their homes, either across national borders or within their own country. Increased core funding to humanitarian organisations provides both predictability and flexibility for our partners and helps to promote a more effective humanitarian response,’ Ms Eriksen Søreide said.

This year, Norway has increased its core support to the World Food Programme (WFP) to NOK 800 million and to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to NOK 680 million. These are extraordinary increases in funding, allocated in response to growing needs arising from food insecurity and increased displacement as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

So far this year, Norway has provided NOK 420 million in funding to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). Norway is one of CERF’s largest donors. CERF ensures that humanitarian assistance reaches people in need quickly when crises emerge or escalate, and provides funding for underfunded emergencies. In 2021, the funds have been allocated to provide food assistance in Nigeria, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  

Norway also supports the work being done by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to protect and assist people living in conflict-affected countries. Norway has provided NOK 163 million to the ICRC, among other things to support the organisation’s efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).  

Food security and protection of civilians are the most pressing humanitarian issues in Syria, Yemen and South Sudan. These are the countries that have received the most humanitarian support from Norway in 2021, as in recent years. So far this year, Norway has allocated NOK 700 million to humanitarian efforts in Syria, NOK 200 million in Yemen and NOK 166 million in South Sudan. This funding are being channelled through the UN, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and Norwegian humanitarian organisations. Norway will provide further support to the humanitarian response in these countries during the course of the year.    

Lockdowns during the coronavirus pandemic have increased the risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). This year, Norway will provide at least NOK 310 million to efforts to enhance protection against SGBV and access to sexual and reproductive health services in humanitarian crises.  

Protection of civilians against landmines and other explosives is another important priority for Norway. This year, Norway will provide at least NOK 300 million to global mine action.

‘Norway will continue to play a leading role in global humanitarian efforts both as a donor country and as a humanitarian actor. Our overall aim is to save lives, alleviate suffering and protect human dignity in conflict and crisis situations. At the same time, we will continue to promote innovation and an integrated approach in order to achieve better results with existing resources and counter the negative trend we are seeing in which more and more people are trapped in protracted humanitarian crises,’ Ms Eriksen Søreide said.

Facts

• 235 million people will need humanitarian assistance in 2021. This is 40 % more than in 2020.
• Worldwide, there are over 26 million refugees and more than 45 million people are internally displaced.
• Norway is providing a record-high NOK 6.3 billion in humanitarian support, to be used, among other things, to protect civilians, improve food security and provide assistance to displaced people in countries affected by crisis and conflict.
• Protection of civilians is a key focus area for Norway. It is also one of Norway’s priority thematic areas in the UN Security Council, where we currently chair the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict.

Source: UN and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

As a member of the UN Security Council, Norway will chair the UN Security Council Sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 1718 (2006). Ambassador Mona Juul, Permanent Representative of Norway to the United Nations in New York, will chair the Committee.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear programme and ballistic missile tests pose a challenge to the global regime of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and remain a threat to regional and international peace and stability. The Security Council has repeatedly expressed deep concern about the DPRK’s ongoing nuclear and ballistic missile-related activities, which have been destabilising for the region and beyond.

As Chair, Norway will adhere to a principled approach that upholds and advances the Committee’s mandate as outlined in resolution 1718 (2006) and subsequent resolutions. The work will be conducted in line with the Guidelines of the Committee, in collaboration with all Committee members, and supported by the Panel of Experts and the UN Secretariat.

Norway will work to maintain and advance consensus in the Committee’s efforts to fulfil its mandate to oversee the implementation of the measures adopted by the Security Council. As Chair, Norway will work to support states in implementing all relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Panel of Experts presents a list of recommendations to the Committee in its midterm and final reports. As Chair, Norway will work constructively with Committee members on how the Committee and Member States can follow up on these recommendations.

When examining requests for exemptions from the sanctions, the Committee should endeavour to ensure that UN sanctions do not have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of the DPRK, consistent with the objectives set out in the relevant resolutions of the Security Council. The Committee has established an accelerated exemption process for humanitarian assistance and exemptions for longer time frames. Norway will continue to focus on the exemption process in order to maintain and facilitate the Committee’s expedient and streamlined consideration of requests for exemptions for humanitarian assistance.