News from the Embassy

Various representatives from authorities in Norway dealing with integration issues, as well as representatives from Norwegian embassies in the region came together on a two-day seminar to learn more about forced marriages and family related affairs.

The then 13 year old girl was allegedly married to her six years older cousin in a ceremony in Oslo in 2006. Three years after she notified a counselor at school, the cousin, the girl's father, mother, uncle and aunt were all indicted. They all received very tough sentences – a clear signal from the Norwegian court.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “Egypt is in a critical phase after a historic revolution, in which the younger generation has played a decisive role. Now the people’s demands for democracy and human rights must be met. We intend to further develop our contact with popular movements and progressive potential leaders on the Egyptian political stage.”

The Ad-hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) for assistance to the Palestinians, which is chaired by Norway, will meet in New York 21. September. The meeting will bring the key donors of aid and relief together with the Israeli and Palestinian governments.

“It is positive that Israel has now decided to ease the blockade of Gaza. In my view, the blockade is counterproductive because it directly affects the civilian population and undermines the forces on the Palestinian side that are interested in peace. Moreover, it does not serve to enhance Israeli security,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

After two days of meetings with Norwegian officials on 14.- 15. June, King Abdullah II took the opportunity to see the Norwegian scenery from his motorbike, as he spent three days driving across the Norwegian coastline on his Harley Davidson. He drove southwards from Oslo and visited the coastal cities of Kristiansand and Bergen, before he continued his trip to Sweden to participate in the Swedish Crown Princess’ wedding.

June 14 and 15 King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Norway with a delegation consisting of Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, Prince Ghazi and Minister of State Mega-Projects Imad Fakhoury. They met with Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim, as well as the Norwegian King Harald and the Crown Prince Haakon. The topics of discussion were mainly focused on the Norwegian and European roles in achieving peace in the Middle East, as well as the possibilities of Norwegian investments in the...

7 June 2010 Norway and Iraq signed a bilateral agreement to continue the Oil for Development Program that has been operative during the last four years.

The UN Human Rights Council decided today to establish an independent fact-finding mission to investigate the Israeli boarding of a convoy of ships carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The operation was carried out in international waters during the early hours on Monday this week and led to loss of life. On Monday a UN Security Council presidential statement was issued calling for the incident to be investigated as soon as possible.

In a statement dated 31 May, the UN Security Council condemns the acts that led to the loss of civilian lives when Israeli naval forces boarded the convoy carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza. The statement underscores the need for a prompt, impartial and credible investigation of the incident.