Friday, November 13, 2026
Peace Talks

Iranian Zarif to Attend Oslo Forum

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

02_OsloIranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will travel to Norway next week to attend the 2016 edition of the Oslo Forum, an annual international conference on armed conflict mediators and peace process actors.

He will join an estimated 100 other prominent mediators and peace process players from around the world on June 14 and 15 to share experience of peacemaking, Tasnim News Agency reported.

The forum is organized jointly by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue, a private diplomacy and conflict mediation organization.

It annually brings together senior conflict mediators, major players in peace processes, key decision-makers and eminent thinkers to reflect on current peace processes and to strengthen the practice of conflict mediation internationally.

Other participants at the gathering will include US Secretary of State John Kerry and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan K. Eliasson as well as the foreign ministers of Kenya, Lebanon, Mongolia and New Zealand will also attend.

The two-day event will feature panel discussions, debates and roundtable sessions on a variety of topics.

Nuclear Talks Possible
It is not still clear whether or not Zarif will hold meetings with Kerry and Mogherini on the sidelines of the conference to discuss the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the official name of the July 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

While the JCPOA came into force in January, some Iranian officials have complained about the US failure to fully implement the accord.

In an interview with Tasnim News Agency in April, Mogherini said the EU has been holding talks with the US to remove the obstacles in the way of banks trying to get into Iran after implementation of the nuclear deal.
Back in March, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said Americans have yet to fulfill what they were supposed to as per the nuclear deal.

Iran still has problems in its banking transactions and in restoring its frozen assets because western countries and those involved in such processes are afraid of the Americans, the Leader said at the time, criticizing Washington for its covert moves to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the sanctions relief as enshrined in the landmark nuclear agreement.

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Diplomatic relations

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to Norway

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

kerryU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Oslo and Svalbard, Norway; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Ilulissat, Greenland from June 13-17.

While in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on June 13-14, the Secretary will participate in the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), the Western Hemisphere’s premier multilateral organization.

The Secretary will also meet with Dominican President Danilo Medina and will engage in bilateral discussions and consultations with regional counterparts on issues of shared interest.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Oslo, Norway, on June 14-16 and will join Norwegian Foreign Minister Børge Brende at the Oslo Forum, a gathering of world leaders involved in conflict mediation, and will meet separately with Prime Minister Erna Solberg for bilateral discussions. Secretary Kerry will also deliver remarks at a conference on deforestation and visit Svalbard, Norway to engage with Arctic researchers.

The Secretary will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, June 16-17 where he will have bilateral discussions with Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen. Secretary Kerry will also travel to Ilulissat, Greenland on June 17 to meet with Greenlandic and Danish officials and discuss shared challenges in the Arctic.

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Politics

Future management of golden eagle in Norway

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan
Golden eagle is a strictly protected species under the Bern Convention. Photo: Tine Marie Hagelin.

Golden eagle is a strictly protected species under the Bern Convention. Photo: Tine Marie Hagelin.

The future management of golden eagle has been debated in the Norwegian Parliament. How to ensure the needs of indigenous people (Sami people) and livestock was at the heart of the debate the 6th of June this year.

The Parliament concluded to ask the Government to implement management projects and to publicly consult on amending the regulations on culling of golden eagle. The decision was made by the Parliament on the basis of a private proposal from MPs.

Strictly protected species
Golden eagle is a strictly protected species under the Bern Convention. However, culling may take place if certain conditions are met. Norway is firmly committed to the Bern Convention and will still aim to ensure the special protection of the golden eagles. The current population goal of 850-1200 territorial pairs will be maintained.
Research and knowledge about golden eagle in recent years have shown that both livestock and semi domestic reindeer are exposed to predation by golden eagle. In the Fosen area a research project has revealed that the golden eagle is one of several factors explaining the loss of sheep.

In Troms there is so far no research to confirm the same pattern, but local sheep farmers and Sami people claim that golden eagle is an important factor explaining the loss of animals also in this area.

Reduce the loss of domestic animals
The Norwegian Parliament has asked the Government to publicly consult on amending the regulations on culling of golden eagle, in order to reduce the loss of domestic animals and semi domestic reindeer, in areas where the losses are particularly high. Furthermore, Parliament has asked the Government to allow trial cull in the Fosen area and Troms.

At the same time the Parliamentary decision clearly states that the current population goal of 850-1200 territorial pairs, shall be maintained. The current population is within this range hence the potential scope for culling is narrow.
Within the narrow boundaries laid down by the Parliamentary decision, and strictly in keeping with our international obligations under the Bern convention, the government will now embark on preparing a draft regulation for public consultation.

Sustainable management
The Ministry of Climate and Environment consider it important to design the projects in a way that ensures sustainable management of the species and at the same time prevent severe damage on domestic / semi domestic animals. At the same time it is important that scientists collect information also about other possible important factors explaining the loss of sheep and semi domestic areas in these areas which is not related to large carnivores, to make sure the management is as precise as possible.

Given the controversial nature of the matter, it will also be important to ensure a thorough and comprehensive public consultation process where all concerned interests are heard. As an example, the tourism industry has voiced its clear opposition to the proposal, since Norwegian wildlife is a key asset for Norway as a tourist destination.
The Ministry of Climate and Environment will point out that under no circumstances will culling be allowed to an extent that threatens the Norwegian population of golden eagle. The current population goal of 850-1200 territorial pairs, shall continue to apply. This is in accordance with Norway´s obligations under the Bern Convention.

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Terrorist

Norwegian Justice Tries the Extradition of Suspected Terrorist

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

978xA Norwegian court opened today a process to extradite to Italy a former leader of the fundamentalist Kurdish group Ansar al-Islam, suspect of leading a terrorist network with plans to execute attacks in Europe and the Middle East.

According to Aftenposten newspaper in its online edition, the defendant, who is known as Mullah Krekar but real name seems to be Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, was requested by the Italian authorities months ago for allegedly leading an international terrorist network called “Rawti SHAX”.

The group, informed the newspaper, has cells in different countries of the European continent and is composed of groups that communicate and operate through the Internet.

The process, that will take five days, also involves an Iraqi citizen resident in Norway.

According to the prosecution, there is enough material compiled in recent years on the network in several countries, by which, in its opinion, the conditions are created to proceed with the extradition to Italy.

On the other hand, the defense of the accused claimed that he is a victim of the political maneuvering of the Norwegian authorities to get rid of him.

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Peace Talks

Dureza leaves for Norway to meet Sison

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

Screen Shot 2016-06-10 at 22.55.13NEWLY appointed peace negotiator Jesus Dureza flew to Paris Saturday, June 10 enroute to Oslo, NOrway to meet with exiled communist leader Jose Ma. Sison.

Dureza confirmed this in a Facebook post a few hours ago.

The meeting will be the initial step in the planned resumption of talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GPH) with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

“I am flying tonight to Paris enroute to Oslo, Norway for an informal meeting with the CPP/NPA/NDF headed by Mr. Jose Ma. Sison upon instructions from Pres-elect Rodrigo Duterte to work for the early resumption of the stalled peace negotiations,” the post read.

Dureza, a veteran in peace negotiations, is accompanied by Silvestre Bello III, another veteran in the peace process. Bello is the incoming labor secretary.

Former congressman Hernani Braganza also joined them.

“We look forward to a fruitful meeting under the auspices of the Norwegian government in the sidelines of the ‘Oslo Forum’,” he said.

Dureza, meanwhile, also corrected a report that came out “in some media outlets” that bannered a story that he is ‘open’ to negotiations with the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

“True, I have even directly negotiated with the ASG just recently to seek the release of my friend John Ridsdel whom they nevertheless beheaded as the families could not raise the demanded ransom amount,” he said.

“But negotiations with them in the context of what we are doing with the Bangsamoro and the CPP/NPA/NDF is definitely not the way forward. They have to face the full force of the law for their terrorism and criminal acts,” Dureza said.

(VLA/Sunnex)

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Peace Talks

Peace negotiators off to Norway for talks with reds

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

Screen Shot 2016-06-10 at 22.53.41Philippines – Peace negotiators of the incoming Duterte administration are flying to Norway Friday night for informal talks with communist rebels “to work for the early resumption of the stalled peace negotiations.”

This was announced in a social media post by Jesus Dureza, who has been named peace adviser of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte.

With Dureza is Labor Secretary-designate Silvestre Bello III, who will chair the government peace negotiating panel of the Duterte administration in the talks with the communists, and former congressman Hernani Braganza.

They will be meeting with Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison and the negotiating team of the National Democratic Front, which represents the rebels at the talks.

“We look forward to a fruitful meeting under the auspices of the Norwegian government (on) the sidelines of the Oslo Forum,” an annual event hosted by the Norwegian government and the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue that gathers conflict mediators, decision makers and peace process actors in a series of informal and discreet retreats.

At the same time, Dureza denied media reports indicating that he was “open to negotiations” with the Abu Sayyaf and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Forces.

In his post, Dureza acknowledged having “directly negotiated with the ASG just recently to seek the release of my friend John Ridsdel, whom they nevertheless beheaded as the family could not raise the demanded ransom amount.”

Ridsdel, a retired Canadian mining executive, was one of three foreigners and a Filipina abducted by the Abu Sayyaf from Samal Island. He was killed after the deadline set by the Abu Sayyaf for ransom lapsed.

Dureza stressed that negotiating with the Abu Sayyaf and BIFF “in the context of what we are doing with the Bangsamoro” and the communists “is definitely not the way forward.”

“They have to face the full force of the law for their terrorism and criminal acts,” he said.

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Diplomatic relations

Exports of defence-related products from Norway in 2015

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

TerrorismIn 2015, Norway exported arms and military equipment for just over NOK 3 billion. This is an increase of four per cent from 2014.

Exports of arms and munitions accounted for around NOK 2.8 billion of the total and other defence-related products for NOK 300 million.In addition, there were exports of dual-use items, in other words civilian products with military uses, with a total value of around NOK 312 million. These figures were set out in the white paper on exports of defence-related products that was presented today.

These products have mainly been purchased by Nato and the other Nordic countries.

‘There is broad political agreement that Norway should have a viable defence industry. This is important for maintaining jobs and our own defence capability; it is also important for driving technology development – both in the civilian and in the military sectors,’ commented Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

‘Norway has a long tradition of transparency regarding its exports of arms and military equipment. The Government considers it important to maintain this level of transparency,’ Mr Brende added.

Exports of defence-related products from Norway are subject to strict controls, and the Government continually seeks to provide a clear and predictable framework for the defence industry.

A total of 25 applications for licences to export defence-related products were refused in 2015.

‘It is clear that the various armed conflicts and security threats worldwide create challenges for our export control. The Government gives serious consideration to the situation in vulnerable areas, and each export licence application is carefully assessed on an individual basis,’ said Mr Brende.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has tightened its rules and guidelines for processing applications for the export of defence-related products in recent years. The requirement to obtain an export licence has also been expanded to include all products originally developed for military use.

The guidelines now include an overview of the political principles and criteria that form the basis for considering individual licence applications. It is therefore clear what factors are taken into consideration. The white paper also provides an overview of Norwegian legislation and the Ministry’s guidelines, as well as an account of the extensive international cooperation on export control and non-proliferation, which Norway takes active part in.

Norway is leading important processes in this area, for example with regard to regimes for increasing control over nuclear and missile technology. We are thus shouldering a major responsibility for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

In 2016, further negotiations will be held on the international cooperation on control of conventional weapons and high technology that is relevant for defence-related products. Norwegian experts in various fields will be taking part in the negotiations. Norway is working actively to strengthen and further develop the Wassenaar Arrangement, which is multilateral cooperation on control of conventional weapons and dual-use items.

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Environment

Norway Will Stop Using Products from Deforestation

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

9256e0bcca8aa727de8418fb5a92446e518401268ff4cOil-rich Norway is taking a big step in saving tropical rainforests that are crucial to absorbing the world’s carbon emissions. The Scandinavian country has become the first in the world to pledge not to use products that contribute to deforestation.

The Rainforest Foundation Norway recently announced the commitment after the Norwegian parliament adopted a measure to “impose requirements to ensure that public procurements do not contribute to deforestation of the rainforest.” The government is now drafting rules to follow through.

“This is an important victory in the fight to protect the rainforest,” said the Foundation’s head of policy, Nils Hermann Ranum, in a statement. “Other countries should follow Norway’s leadership, and adopt similar zero deforestation commitments.”

With a population of only a little more than 5 million, Norway’s move won’t significantly slow the clearing of forests around the world — in 1990 they made up 31.6 percent of the word’s land areas, and in 2015 that was down to 30.6 percent, according to the United Nations — but the country’s move is nonetheless a big deal, said Richard Donovan, senior vice president of forestry at the Rainforest Alliance

“That market compared to the US and the EU in general is a relatively small market, but it’s still a significant market,” Donovan told VICE News. “They are perceived as leaders and they are seen as — pardon the pun — the cutting edge on this stuff.”

The measure applies only to the Norwegian government. But the public sector accounts for around half of the Norwegian economy, according to Trading Economics, a global research firm.

Donovan said the government’s move would surely affect the private sector. “I don’t think they would have done this unless they first had discussions with those players who were bringing these products into the Norwegian market,” he said.

Many Norwegian private companies have indeed taken steps to preserve trees in Africa, the Amazon basin, Indonesia and elsewhere. Norwegian food producers used 15,000 tons of palm oil in 2011. A year later, after a public campaign against palm oil, they cut their use to 9,600 tons, the Foundation said.

The palm oil, beef, soy and wood industries contributed to around 40 percent of the deforestation in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea, according to a study last year by Focali, a network of Swedish universities. The absence of those forests contribute to climate change because their trees aren’t sucking up carbon emissions.

Norway is spending almost $3.7 billion a year on efforts in Brazil, Liberia and other countries to curb deforestation. The idea is that Norway will fund efforts to help farmers produce more on the land they have already cleared rather than cutting down more trees to plant more crops or grass for cows as well as pay for government efforts to establish preserves.

Tropical deforestation accounts for around 11 percent of global greenhouse emissions, according to Norway’s Ministry of Climate and Environment.

“The drivers of deforestation are many and vary among countries and regions but there is one common denominator: it is currently more profitable, at least in the short term, to convert a forest to other uses than to leave it as a natural ecosystem,” a ministry statement said. “At the same time, we are becoming increasingly aware of the enormous value of natural ecosystems for our economy and welfare. Still, deforestation continues. We are facing a gigantic market failure.”

Norway undertook its “zero deforestation” policies after the UN Climate Summit in New York in 2014, when Oslo issued a statement with Germany and the UK to remove products that result from to deforestation. The UK and Germany have yet to make similar pledges. Norway’s move could put pressure on London and Berlin to do so.

“The gauntlet has been laid down,” he said.

 

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Sports

Oslo means happy memories for President Hansen

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

1279216_G08_W01As meeting director of the Bislett Games for 24 years, Svein Arne Hansen presided over some of the greatest world records – including those from Norwegians Ingrid Kristiansen (10,000m in 1986) and Trine Hattestad (javelin in 2000).

No wonder the President of European Athletics is so delighted to be in Oslo for tonight’s IAAF Diamond League.

Such is the status of the games, that just the name ‘Bislett’ alone radiates throughout world sport with an amazing 65 world records set at the stadium.

But it is not just about the athletics.

As well-renowned is the annual strawberry party which takes place on the eve of the meeting.

Hansen had a fabulous time there yesterday, mingling with old friends and some of the biggest names in track and field, including Dutch sprinter Dafne Schippers and Norway’s javelin legend Andreas Thorkildsen, the double Olympic champion.

Norwegian Hansen, the meeting director of the Bislett Games between 1985 and 2009, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be back in Oslo as President of European Athletics. The party was fantastic and I am really looking forward to the Games.

“We had so many wonderful performances during my time as meeting director and that has not stopped since. Athletes really rise to the occasion, wondering whether it is their year to make history at this famous meeting.

“When I think back, there are so many memories – and I am sure a few more will be created tonight.”

 

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Royal House

Norway’s royals ‘use public money on private expenses’

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan
The royals have been accused of using the state budget to pay private employees. File photo: Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix

The royals have been accused of using the state budget to pay private employees. File photo: Heiko Junge/NTB Scanpix

Money awarded by parliament to the Royal House is spent on maintaining King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon’s privately-owned estates, according to a report by Dagbladet newspaper.

Large sums of the annual money allotted to the King and Queen, as well as the Crown Prince and Princess, are entitled to an apanage – 20.5 million kroner ($2.5 million) in 2016 – have for years been used to cover expenses related to the maintenance of King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon’s private property, Dagbladet reported on Thursday.

Similarly, ordinary state allowances are provided to the Royal House to pay the wages of employees who carry out maintenance work on the private properties.

The two royal couples own five holiday homes in different parts of Norway. Prince Haakon also owns the Skaugum estate near Oslo, while King Harald owns Kongsseteren (The Royal Lodge) at the Holmenkollen ski resort.

The royals’ director of communications, Marianne Hagen, told Dagbladet that the state allowance is used to pay employee wages, saying that nothing in the royals’ appropriation structure limits employees from working on the privately-owned properties.

Dagbladet’s new report on royal spending follows on from news in April that the Norwegian monarchy costs the state 460 million kroner ($55 million) per year, with 117 million of this being spent on items – mostly police escorts – not accounted for by the state’s Royal House budget.

The total cost of the monarchy has grown by about 37 percent in just six years while the royals’ salary payments have more than doubled since 2002, according to Dagbladet.

The Center Party’s Per Olaf Lundteigen, who is responsible for state grants to the royals, has now requested an overview accounting for their use.

“Parliament must have an account from the royals in good time prior to approval of the state budget for 2017. As such, it is natural that the Royal House discloses its expenses in relation to this type of maintenance work, and that it discloses the number of hours employees have spent on repair and maintenance work on the royals’ privately owned property,” Mundteigen told Dagbladet.

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Terrorist

Norway condemns terrorist attack in Tel Aviv

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

3267307161‘Norway condemns yesterday’s brutal terrorist attack in Tel Aviv,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

At least four people were killed and several others were seriously wounded when two men opened fire on civilians at a restaurant in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening. According to Israeli police, the gunmen were Palestinians.

‘My thoughts are with the families of the victims and with those who have been injured,’ said Mr Brende.

‘There can be no justification for using violence against innocent civilians. Political leaders must condemn all acts of terror and do their utmost to ensure that the conflict does not now escalate,’ said Mr Brende.

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Asia and Norway

Indonesia reviews potential for Norway businesses

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

Screen Shot 2016-06-09 at 11.07.35In an Indonesian Business Discussion, initiated by the Indonesian Embassy in Oslo, Norway, participants reviewed opportunities in Indonesia for business expansion and investment by Norwegian businesses.

According to a press statement from the embassy received by Antara here on Wednesday, the event is a follow up to the earlier bilateral meeting between the Indonesian and Norwegian Foreign Affairs Ministers in Jakarta on May 30, 2016.

In that meeting, the two officials agreed to improve cooperation on trade and investment.

Indonesian Special Ambassador for Trade and Investment, Sony Subrata, along with representatives of 13 top companies, have reviewed opportunities and challenges faced by Indonesia in the field of maritime, shipping, fisheries, renewable energy, transportation, energy, infrastructure, oil and gas exploration and fertilizer.

The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, along with the Norway Innovation and Investment Promotion Agency and the Special Unit of the Central Bank of Norway, which manages the oil fund, attended the meeting.

The Norwegian businesses representatives said they appreciated the progressive steps taken by the Indonesian government in recent years, particularly in improving business and investment climates.

They asked the Indonesian government to continue strengthening such actions regarding improving the business environment, such as in law enforcement, regulatory certainty, infrastructure development and anti-corruption efforts.

Earlier, President Joko Widodo invited businesses from the Nordic countries to invest in Indonesia, including Norway.

Norway has advanced technologies in the field of aquaculture, oil exploration, renewable energy, and maritime industries.

Further, Norway has an oil fund of some US$900 billion. These funds are invested abroad in the form of fixed income, government bonds and real estate purchases.

In Indonesia, Norway has invested approximately US$ 3 billion from its oil fund.

Indonesia and Norway have a dialogue mechanism, including in the fields of energy, human rights and security policies.

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NATO and Norway

NATO Allies converge for war-time scenario

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan
Vehicles stage at the Riga Port A fleet of military vehicles wait in a staging lot after being offloaded from ship in preparation of Exercise Saber Strike 16 in Riga, Latvia, June 4, 2016. Exercise Saber Strike is an annual combined-joint exercise in the Baltic region. The combined training prepares allies and partners to rapidly amass during regional crises and meet their own security needs by improving the security of borders and countering threats.

Vehicles stage at the Riga Port
A fleet of military vehicles wait in a staging lot after being offloaded from ship in preparation of Exercise Saber Strike 16 in Riga, Latvia, June 4, 2016. Exercise Saber Strike is an annual combined-joint exercise in the Baltic region. The combined training prepares allies and partners to rapidly amass during regional crises and meet their own security needs by improving the security of borders and countering threats.

Armed Forces from 13 NATO countries, including Marines with the Black Sea Rotational Force and Combat Logistics Regiment 2, will gather for Exercise Saber Strike. They are taking part in an annual exercise to improve their ability to quickly move troops and prepositioned equipment from caves in Norway wherever the next conflict should occur.

“Operation Saber Strike has been a massive logistical undertaking. It’s a proof of concept that we are able to pull gear and aggregate it in Latvia in order to support our NATO allies,” said Capt. Brian Geisen, a logistics officer with CLR-2. “In the course of a few days we were able to pull gear from multiple caves in Norway, load them onto a British ship, cross the sea, land in Riga, and offload in Adazi. It is proof that in the event that we need to respond to a crisis we can quickly come to the support of an allied nation.”

The Marines’ ability to fight anywhere in Europe is insured by our Allied partners. They provide the flexibility needed to move tanks, supplies, trucks and troops around the battlespace.

“Saber Strike prepares us for supporting our NATO allies by being able to quickly aggregate forces in theater,” said Col. Brian Wolford, the commanding officer of CLR-2. “The equipment is already here, we draw it, man it, and we’re ready to fight quickly to defend our NATO partners.

Exercise Saber Strike is an annual combined-joint exercise in the Baltic region. The combined training prepares allies and partners to respond more to regional crises and meet their own security needs by improving the security of borders and countering threats.

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Economics

160 Million NOK to Research Centers Working on Sustainable Energy Production

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

width_650.height_300.mode_FillAreaWithCrop.pos_Default.color_WhiteThe Research Council of Norway has pledged 160 million NOK for the establishment of eight new research centers that will work on sustainable energy production. The project has an overall budget of 1.3 billion NOK, to be distributed over eight years.

“The new research centers will establish a framework for the development and use of new technology adapted to environmentally sound living,” said Tord Lien, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.

Lien opened an Energy Conference in Oslo on Thursday hosted by The Research Council of Norway. The Research Council announced the allotment of 160 million NOK toward the establishment of the research centers working on sustainable energy production. The Norwegian government is expected to contribute an additional 1.3 billion NOK to the centers over the next eight years. Including funding from users, industrial partners and research institutions, more than 2.5 billion NOK has been earmarked for research development.

“This is a good day to be Minister of Petroleum and Energy. The research centers for sustainable energy production are at the forefront of new research, development and innovation regarding energy production for the future. The allotment is a long-term commitment towards a solution of climate and energy challenges. The centers will also contribute to innovation, industrial and commercial development and lucrative jobs,” said Lien.

The research centers will bring together Norwegian researchers and members of industry and the trade sector to cooperate long-term to address energy and climate challenges.

The new centers will cover hydraulic power, power grids, energy efficient industry, environmentally friendly transport, solar power, biofuel and zero emission in cities.

“Research and development of new technology is one of the government’s main areas of commitment. I am therefore pleased that the government and its partners have strengthened their commitment to research and technological development in all budgets thus far. I am especially pleased that the state budget for 2016 strengthened sustainable energy production with 40 million NOK,” said Lien.

(norway)

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Economics

Airplanes and protests. Consequences at Oslo Airport in the event of a strike next Friday

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

15095Negotiations between NHO Service (the Norwegian confederation of the industries of services) and Parat have broken down, and if arbitration is unsuccessful, the result will be a strike at Oslo Airport starting from 06:00 hours on Friday, 10 June. If the strike materialises, Oslo Airport will be shut down for all departing passengers effective from 06:00 hours on Friday, 10 June.

Notices of collective work stoppage have been received, and 531 employees/security workers from Nokas Aviation could potentially be taken out on strike. These personnel play key roles in both the security check, baggage facility and other entry points at Oslo Airport.

A notice has already been issued regarding the first round of strikers, in which trade union Parat has taken out 250 security workers at Oslo Airport, 170 of whom work in the security check.

Based on this first wave, 170 fewer employees in the security check will entail very significant capacity reductions of up to 70 per cent for parts of the day. The company expect very high traffic levels on Friday, 10 June – among the highest ever recorded at Oslo airport. A total of 42,200 departing passengers will be subject to the security inspection on this day alone.

Passengers arriving at Oslo Airport who have Oslo as their final destination will not be affected by a potential strike.
A shutdown at Oslo Airport will have major consequence for Norwegian aviation, and cancellations and substantial delays must be expected. Possible strikes have also been reported at several of Avinor’s other airports – to varying degrees. Delays and consequences for travellers are also expected in these other locations.

(Avionews)

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Economics

Norway safety body imposes order on BP for Ula and Valhall

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

Screen Shot 2016-06-08 at 19.14.40Norway’s industry safety body has formally imposed an order on BP to act on its crane maintenance and materials handling on the Ula and Valhall facilities.

It comes after “serious” regulatory violations were found by the Petroleum Safety Authority.

The inspection had been carried out in the first four days of February this year.

The PSA has since issued BP with two orders, the first to review and map all areas and systems in respect of materials handling, and assess fulfilment of the requirements relating to prudent materials handling.

Meanwhile, the second is to review and assess systems for management of the maintenance of offshore cranes.

The company has also been asked to implement measures relating to the follow-up of technical faults and defects revealed by the maintenance history.

The deadline for complying with the order has been set for December 2016.

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Economics

Engie secures drilling permit offshore Norway

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

1465190119532The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) has granted a drilling permit to Engie E&P Norge for well 36/7-4 in offshore Norway.

Engie will use the Transocean Arctic drilling facility at position 61°24’59.72” north, 04°04’08.06” east to drill the well 36/7-4, 55km south-west of Florø and 10km north-west of the Gjøa field.

Prior to this, the facility will complete the drilling of wildcat well 31/7-1 A for Faroe Petroleum Norge in production licence 740.

As part of the drilling programme for well 36/7-4, Engie plans to drill a wildcat well in production licence 636, which was awarded on 3 February 2012.

The company operates the licence with a 30% interest. The other licensees are Idemitsu Petroleum (30%), Wellesley Petroleum (20%) and Tullow Oil Norge (20%). The area in this licence consists of a part of block 36/7.

Well 36/7-4 is the first one to be drilled within the licence area.

Before starting drilling, Engie needs to secure all permits and consents required by other authorities.

In a separate announcement, Engie announced that it has increased the gas production on Gjøa field in the North Sea by 17.5%.

Engie E&P Norge head of operations Hilde Ådland said: “Gjøa was originally designed to export 17 million standard cubic metres of gas per day (Msm³/d).

“That we are currently producing 20Msm³/d, 17.5% more than estimated, is a great achievement.”

Engie holds shares in 46 licences on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and is operator of the Gjøa field, as well as seven exploration licences.

Net production from Gjøa in 2015 was 12.6 million barrels of oil equivalent.

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Terrorist

Norwegian prosecutor wants jail for duo supporting Islamic State

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

isA Norwegian prosecutor Tuesday requested jail terms of at least six years for two men charged with supporting the militant Islamic State group as their trial closed in the Norwegian capital of Oslo.

The two men, who went on trial in May, were charged with travelling to Syria in 2014 to train with Islamic State and planning acts of terrorism.

Prosecutor Frederik Ranke said joining Islamic State in 2014 showed they had terrorism plans, citing that the militant group was then known for bombing civilians and beheading hostages, Norwegian news agency NTB reported from the Oslo District Court.

A 23-year-old Russian national from Chechnya should be sentenced to seven-and-half years, Ranke said, while a 46-year-old Norwegian-Pakistani man should get a six-year sentence.

Ranke noted the second man had only spent one month in Syria.

Since 2014, Norwegian authorities have stepped up efforts to investigate foreign fighters who have returned to Norway. The goal is to stem the flow of volunteers.

The steps have indeed deterred some individuals from becoming fighters, the police security service PST said.

The younger man returned to Norway a year ago and was kept under surveillance by the PST, which suspected him of planning a new trip to Syria. The two were arrested in July.

The older defendant denied supporting Islamic State and planning terrorism. He said he went to Syria to fight with another group and to help his son return to Norway.

The son is serving an eight-year sentence for supporting Islamic State.

A recent PST estimate said at least 40 people from Norway were in Syria and Iraq.

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Asia and Norway

Norwegian businessmen keen on investment in Gilan Province fisheries

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

82104550-70781576Norwegian companies are to invest in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Gilan Province in Iran.

The Norwegian investors said in a meeting with Governor General of Gilan Province Mohammad Ali Najafi that Gilan has high potential in fisheries and they are hopeful of partnership in the fisheries and aquaculture industry.

They said they are ready to invest 10,000 billion Rials investment in production of trawlers, small fishing boats and cages for fish culture through sophisticated technology.

Najafi for his part said Gilan province is willing to benefit from experience of Norway in fish culture and seafood products.

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Science

India to be a member of Missile Technology Control Regime, confirms Norwegian envoy

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

MissileShieldSystem_US_AFPIndia is all set to become member of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), a key anti-proliferation grouping, as it cleared final hurdles in getting membership of the bloc that will help it access high-end missile technology.

Diplomatic sources said there was “no objection” to India’s applications for the membership of the MTCR and that the deadline for member countries to object to it had expired on Monday.

They said the plenary meeting of the 34-nation grouping will take place later this year in Seoul during which India will be formally inducted as the new entrant into the bloc.

“Mission almost accomplished. Only some procedural formalities remain before India becomes member of #MTCR,” Roald Naess, Norwegian Ambassador to Ireland tweeted.

Membership of the MTCR will help India procure high-end missile technology and surveillance systems by leading manufacturers which are allowed to be accessed by only MTCR member countries.

Sources said India had applied for the MTCR membership last year and its application was under consideration as part of a “silent procedure” which ended yesterday without any objection from any country.

There were certain formalities to be completed before India is inducted into the bloc, added the sources.
The development comes as India was expanding its diplomatic outreach seeking support for its entry into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India has developed a range of missile systems including Brahmos, Agni and Prithvi missile systems. Brahmos is a joint venture with Russia.

India’s application at the NSG is expected to be taken up for discussion by the NSG at its plenary meetings on 9 June in Vienna and 24 June in Seoul. China has been opposing India’s bid arguing that it was not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

(NPT).

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Politics

EU Ambassadors Note Progress of Bulgaria’s Judicial Reform

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

photo_verybig_174787At a meeting with Bulgarian Justice Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva on Tuesday, the ambassadors of the EU member states, Norway, Switzerland noted the progress of Bulgaria’s judicial reform.
The meeting was a joint initiative of Zaharieva and Dutch ambassador to Bulgaria, His Excellency Tom van Oorschot, who represented the Dutch presidency of the Council of the EU.
The meeting was also attended by Ognyan Zlatev, head of the European Commission representation in Bulgaria, as well as the three deputy justice ministers.
During the working discussion, Zaharieva presented to the ambassadors the second part of the amendments to the Judicial System Act, which had been discussed and adopted by the Council for judicial reform.
Van Oorschot thanked Zaharieva that she had invited the ambassadors again five months after their last working meeting in order to discuss the important reforms of the judiciary.
The minister’s will and efforts to bring changes to Bulgaria’s judiciary had been noted by the ambassadors at the previous meeting.
Zaharieva reminded that the first part of the bill for amendments to the Judicial System Act were tabled to the parliament in March and immediately after that work began on the second part.
Recently, the texts were adopted by the Council for judicial reform and at present the minister was organising meetings with all parliamentary represented parties.
She expressed hope that there will be broad support for this important legislation, with the idea being to table it to the Council of Ministers on June 15.
Zaharieva added that the new amendments had been subject to discussion at four consecutive meetings of the Council for judicial reform, which together had lasted for more than forty hours.
The minister noted that 4/5 of the draft was adopted unanimously by the members of the council, while a productive discussion took place on the remaining part with some good proposals suggested and included.
During the meeting, Zaharieva presented to the ambassadors some of the important amendments to the legislation which consolidate the principle of judicial self-rule, entrust the inspectorate to the Supreme Judicial Council with new powers, regulate the career development of magistrates, reform the selection and statute of jury members and introduce additional rules for judicial exams.
With the proposed amendments, the prosecutor’s office will be united but not centralised, with prosecutors and investigators no longer to be subordinate to the chief prosecutor.
The new bill also increases the accountability of the chief prosecutor and the administrative heads in the prosecution.
Van Oorschot commended the progress achieved by Zaharieva and her team in the past five months, who were guiding the reform in the right direction.
According to him, the proposed changes provide the basis for creating trust in an independent and impartial judicial system.

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Religion

Human rights watchdogs condemn Tajik opposition activists’ sentences

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

irpt_1A statement released by Human Rights Watch, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia on June 7 notes that sentenced passed on leading members and activists of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) followed an unfair trial initiated in retaliation for their peaceful political opposition and reflect the government’s pervasive manipulation of the justice system and egregious violations of the right to freedom of expression.

The human rights watchdogs called on the US, EU member states, and other international partners of Tajikistan to respond to the sentences with targeted punitive measures against Tajik officials unless concrete human rights improvements are made, including setting aside the opposition leaders’ convictions.

“If allowed to stand, these draconian sentences will not only strike a blow to Tajikistan’s peaceful opposition but to every Tajik citizen,” said Steve Swerdlow, Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “These sentences show that anyone in Tajikistan any time can be labeled a criminal and punished simply for disagreeing with the government.”

The statement says that the trial, which began on February 24, was closed to observers and marked by serious violations of due process. Sources close to several of the defendants told Human Rights Watch that several defendants were subjected to torture or ill-treatment in pre-trial detention. Several lawyers who attempted to represent the IRPT leaders on trial, such as Buzurgmehr Yorov, were detained on trumped up charges. A lawyer who represented one of the defendants and was present in court throughout the trial told the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia (AHRCA) that the government presented no evidence of the defendants’ guilt, citing the allegations made in the indictments as established facts.

“The only purpose of this trial was to dress up political repression in the trappings of legal proceedings,” said Nadejda Atayeva, president of the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia. “The defendants’ crimes appear to be fabricated, yet their fate was pre-determined. This is a travesty of justice.”

The United States, the European Union, and other key international actors should make unequivocal calls for the defendants’ release, Human Rights Watch, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, and the Association for Human Rights in Central Asia said. The international actors should press the Tajik government to uphold its international obligations to respect freedom of association, assembly, expression, and religion and impose targeted punitive measures, such as asset freezes and visa bans, on Tajik government officials responsible for imprisoning peaceful activists, torture, and other grave human rights violations.

“Tajikistan’s international partners should publicly and unanimously condemn this mockery of justice,” said Marius Fossum, Central Asia representative of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee. “Tajikistan’s human rights situation has been spiraling downward at a rapid pace and the time has come for Washington, Brussels, and all actors to examine the possibility of enacting targeted punitive measures unless immediate human rights improvements are made.”

We will recall that Tajik authorities began to arrest IRPT leading members and activists on September 16, 2015, accusing them of involvement in an alleged attempted coup earlier that month, purportedly by deputy defense minister Abduhalim Nazarzoda.

Days before the arrests, Tajik authorities formally banned the party, forcing its closure and later declared it a terrorist organization amid a long-running campaign to stamp out opposition political activity in the country and among activists abroad.

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Asia and Norway

Iran’s Zarif to Attend Oslo Forum 2016

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

13941027133320476921094Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif will travel to Norway next week to partake in the 2016 edition of the Oslo Forum, an annual international conference of armed conflict mediators and peace process actors.

The top Iranian diplomat is going to join around 100 other prominent mediators of armed conflict and peace process actors from around the world in Oslo on June 14 and 15 to share their experiences of peacemaking.

The forum is organized jointly by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), a private diplomacy and conflict mediation organization.

It brings together senior conflict mediators, major actors in peace processes, key decision-makers and eminent thinkers on an annual basis to reflect on current peace processes and to strengthen the practice of conflict mediation internationally.

Other participants at the gathering will include US Secretary of State John Kerry and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan K. Eliasson as well as the foreign ministers of Kenya, Lebanon, Mongolia and New Zealand will also attend the forum.

The two-day event will feature panel discussions, debates and roundtable sessions on a variety of topics.

It is not still clear whether Zarif will hold meetings with Kerry and Mogherini on the sidelines of the conference to discuss the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a lasting nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

While the JCPOA came into force in January, some Iranian officials complain about the US failure to fully implement the accord.

In an interview with the Tasnim News Agency in April, Mogherini said the EU has been holding talks with the US to remove the obstacles in the way of banks trying to get into Iran after implementation of the nuclear deal.

Back in March, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Americans have yet to fulfill what they were supposed to do as per the nuclear deal.

Iran still has problems in its banking transactions or in restoring its frozen assets, because Western countries and those involved in such processes are afraid of Americans, the Leader said at the time, criticizing the US for its moves to prevent Iran from taking advantage of the sanctions removal.

(Tasnim)

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Oil & Gas

Shell ‘reshaping itself’ and planning further investment in new energy

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

22285_bannerShell’s chief executive officer, Ben van Beurden, says the company is ‘reshaping itself’ with an emphasis on stronger returns and free cash flow in order to create “a world class investment case” that is likely to include greater focus on new energy and on renewables. Shell recently became the latest fossil fuel company to bid for a slice of the fast growing offshore wind market, following Norway’s state-owned oil company Statoil into the sector (although strictly speaking, if Shell is successful, it will be re-entering the offshore wind industry, having built the 108MW Egmond offshore wind project in 2006). A consortium of Shell, Eneco and Van Oord has confirmed it is bidding to participate in the Dutch government’s tender to build two windfarms off the Dutch coast.

In a Capital Markets presentation of 7 June 2016, Mr van Beurden said he was responding to the changing energy landscape by re-shaping Shell and set out an agenda for 2020 and beyond that included taking action to manage the down-cycle in the oil industry. The company remains heavily focused on oil and gas, but will, said Mr van Beurden, play a growing role in new energies “in order to develop commercial opportunities in the energy transition.”

Setting his remarks in the context of a volatile oil industry, Mr van Beurden said: “I see important opportunities for Shell from the substantial and lasting changes underway in the energy sector. We expect to see robust demand for oil and gas for decades to come, in a global energy system in a long-term transition to lower carbon fuels.”

Mr van Beurden said that, in the currently challenging offshore oil and gas landscape, Brazil and the Gulf of Mexico represent the best real estate in global deep water. “We are developing competitive projects here based on this advantaged acreage. Shell’s deepwater production could double, to some 900 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboed) in 2020, compared with 450 kboed in 2015.”

Looking specifically at future opportunities, Mr van Beurden said: “There businesses are expected to become significant growth priorities for Shell beyond 2020 as we establish clear pathways to profitability. In new energies, there is potential for Shell to achieve material scale and profitability. As the energy transition unfolds, we intend to establish a portfolio to build on our established strengths in low-carbon biofuels, hydrogen and smart customer solutions; as well as in solar and wind. Many of these activities complement the company’s natural gas strategy today.

“Overall,” he concluded, “Shell’s focus is on re-shaping the company. We will retain the most competitive and resilient positions, through targeted investment, and substantial asset sales. This is a value-driven, not time-driven, divestment programme; and an integral element of Shell’s portfolio improvement plan.”

(osjonline)

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Economics

Norwegian sovereign fund grows stake in Manhattan office portfolio

by Nadarajah Sethurupan
written by Nadarajah Sethurupan

Global-Real-Estate-InvestmentsNorway’s sovereign wealth fund has grown its share in a multi-billion-dollar US office portfolio, acquiring a further 4% stake for $142m (€125m).

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM), responsible for the NOK7.1trn (€767bn) Government Pension Fund Global, said in a statement it had always intended to acquire an increased stake in the Hudson Square joint venture, comprising 11 properties in New York owned by Trinity Church Wall Street.

The joint venture agreed between NBIM and Trinity Church was first launched in November last year and saw the sovereign fund initially spend $1.56bn for a 44% stake.

The partners have also appointed Hines as the operating partner for the Manhattan portfolio, currently 94% let.

The portfolio includes assets in Hudson Street and Avenue of the Americas.

Norges made its first property investment in the US at the start of 2013 via the $600m acquisition of a 49.9% stake in a portfolio of Boston, New York and Washington assets.

The sale saw the New York church’s endowment grow significantly in size to nearly $1.7bn in liquid assets at the end of 2015, and an additional $378m in real estate assets.

The church owns a total of 18 office assets in Manhattan.

(realestate)

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