“We have to take care of the dialogue”, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor) as he opened the High North Dialogue conference in Bodø Wednesday.
As the term “Low tension in the High North” is no longer applicable, Støre took to stage to remind over 300 Arctic stake holders, students, politicians and researchers that it was indeed dialogue that kept the Russian-Norwegian relationship afloat during the ups and downs through a 1000 years of peace with Russia.
“In the early nineties dialogue changed the north. Bilaterally Norway and Russia was able to do remarkable things after decades of closed borders”, the Prime Minister said, comparing the border passings between the two Arctic states, from 4000 in 1990 to over 300 000 in 2013. […]
“Should we give up the vision of cooperation and dialogue in the Arctic because of Russia? Should we, the remaining seven and all the other nations, institutions, networks, students – should we put a pause on our efforts? I believe not”, says the Prime Minister of Norway.
“I think we should abide by our true European values. The cold winds blowing now politicly, also in the north, did not emerge in the north. This is not a bilateral conflict between the countries of the north, with Russia. It is emerging out of the conflict with Ukraine. Norway has been in peace with Russia for a 1000 years. And we will remain – in difficult times as well as – predictable and responsible, firm and long term.” […]
Even if there is little cooperation with Russia now, Støre urges to look ahead.
“There may come a time to move forward again. And I would warn against what we see in part of the debate in Europe, that people are cutting Russia out of the map as if it is no longer there. It is.”
Støre reminds the crowd that Norway cannot choose its geography.
“We will remain neighbors. And we will have orderly relations. Yes, there is more tension, but I believe firmly that it is our responsibility in the high north to strive for the vision, high north – low tension,” says Støre and adds that no one is served by high tension.
“The safeguarding of Norway’s security must be done by Norway in close cooperation with our allies.” Läs artikel