Is Norway putting relations with Russia in jeopardy?
In the wake of the South Ossetia crisis, a number of Norwegian politicians now openly admit they fear conflicts with Russia in the North. Meanwhile, economic, human and defence relations with between the two countries are closer than ever.
Norwegian defence officials have repeatedly said that cooperation with Russia is developing positively. Similarly, political contacts between Oslo and Moscow are getting better and better. Over the last couple of years, both Moscow and Murmansk have been promoted as vital power centres for Norwegian business.
Still, a number of prominent Norwegian politicians now cast doubt over future relations with the Russian neighbour.
Norwegian hardliners
As reported by BarentsObserver last week, leader of the Norwegian Conservative Party, Ms. Erna Solberg, sees the Russian intervention in Georgia as evidence of Russia’s Great Power aspirations – aspirations which could eventually pose a threat against Norwegian positions in the High North.
Member of the Norwegian Parliament Defence Committee, Mr. Per Ove Width, goes even further, saying that he does “not exclude the possibility of a direct attack on Norway”. The representative of the rightist Progress Party says to newspaper Aftenposten that a conflict between Norway and Russia could develop following dangerous situations in fisheries or the oil and gas industry.
-And the Russians do not hesitate to use force, diplomacy comes afterwards, Mr. Width adds.
Even former foreign minister Jan Petersen from the Conservative Party now say that the developments in the Caucasus shows that Russia is willing to use force to achieve political gains and that this use of force could be used “unexpectedly”.
Ally of USA
The Norwegian statements, all from the political opposition, come in a situation when Norway’s long-time ally USA are about to bring freeze political relations with Russia. State Secretary Rice in a statement last week said that Russia might not be able to restore its reputation on the international arena, RIA Novosti reports.
At the same time, the Wall Street Journal writes that the USA might increase its defence budgets following the South Ossetia conflict.
Meanwhile, politicians both in Brussels and several of the biggest European countries have taken a softer approach, highlighting the devastating effect of isolating Russia.
Barents Sea
Potentially, the colder relations between Russia and its western neighbours could have negative effects also in the European High North. Standing on the threshold of an economic and industrial boost, the Norwegian-Russian borderlands would suffer heavily from a return towards less contacts and openness.
Only more cross-border cooperation, investments and contacts can help Russia integrate in European affairs. Processes like the establishment of visa-free travel and facilitated labour movement must be continued despite the problems in the Caucasus.
BarentsObserver editorial, 18 August 2008
