Norway wins recognition for ban on cluster munitions

Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, and Ministry official Steffen Kongstad, who led the negotiations on the cluster munitions ban, have been voted persons of the year by the prominent disarmament organisation Arms Control Association (ACA).

Signing of Convention on Cluster Munitions in Oslo

Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will host the signing – by states from all over the world – of the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The signing will take place in Oslo, from 3 to 4 December 2008.

Abel Prize Ceremony 2008

The Abel Prize 2008 was presented by His Majesty King Harald to American, John Griggs Thompson and French - Belgian, Jacques Tits, at the Abel Prize Award Ceremony in Oslo, 20 May. The prize is awarded by The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

Norway to recognise Kosovo

Norway is going to recognise Kosovo as an independent state. - There are several reasons why we have arrived at this conclusion, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Norway - A major contributor in the International Polar Year

Fifty thousand researchers from over 60 countries were ready for action when International Polar Year (IPY) opened on 1 March. Norwegians are represented in half the IPY projects, making Norway one of the largest contributors to this global research initiative.

Great enthusiasm for Norway’s new Opera House at home and abroad

Six months after the opening of the spectacular Opera House, Oslo’s new landmark has won the WAF Award for Culture for 2008.

Høring med Haga i Brussel

Olje- og energiminister Åslaug Haga deltok onsdag 5. mars i en åpen høring i Europaparlamentet om fangst og lagring av CO2. Temaet viste seg å trekke full sal i Brussel.

Norway to provide NOK 75 million for UN humanitarian efforts to Palestinians

The humanitarian situation in the Palestinian Territory remains extremely serious. The civilian population is suffering, and women, children and young people face particular difficulties. In response to a humanitarian appeal by the UN, Norway has decided to provide NOK 75 million for the UN’s humanitarian effort in the Palestinian Territory.

The EU pursues a shared culture of fundamental rights

The Commission is planning a European Agency on Fundamental Rights, aimed at creating a culture of fundamental rights in Europe. The agency will expand on the mandate of a current anti-racism center, to include all fundamental rights of EU members.

The Norwegian Mission to the EU