Arktis

 

Russervennligheten står høyt i Finmark. (Red.)

The Conservative Party's leader, Ine Eriksen Søreide, acknowledges that the High North policy has not worked as well as it should have. (Photo: Trine Jonassen)

Borderland

Kirkenes, Northern Norway: The city on Norway's border with Russia is divided. Some wish Russia back into the fold, while others adamantly disagree. Cyrillic signs may be removed, but the border remains open, and the border resident certificate is as valid as ever. Here is the latest news from Norway's Far East.   It is time for the annual Kirkenes Conference, the Northern Norwegian border conference that had to find a new foothold after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which took place on the night of the conference's second day four years ago.   When I talk to residents, Russians, politicians, and researchers who either live here or are visiting, it strikes me that Eastern Finnmark is divided in its views on Russia.   Kirkenes and Vardø are located on the same longitude as Istanbul and Alexandria. Finnmark is also the only county in Norway that borders Russia directly.   On Tuesday, I participated in an event under the auspices of the Samovar Theatre called 'Icebreaker', in which participants sit in a circle, sharing their perspective on a given question. This time, the question was 'How does geopolitics impact your life?'   The Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide initiated the dialogue and believes that the time has come for Europe to normalize contact with Russia, including politically.   It quickly became clear that the grief, anger, and wounds are still fresh.   For Finnmark politicians, the frustration toward the Norwegian government is great. On Wednesday, they welcomed the leadership of the Conservative Party to Kirkenes, knives sharpened. They are tired of not being heard in what Norway has highlighted as the country's most important strategic area. (Norwegian only)   As Commentator Arne O. Holm puts it: “I know of a lot of other things that ought to be blasted before we build a ship tunnel”.    The Conservative Party's leader, Ine Eriksen Søreide, agrees that the High North policy has not worked.   Journalist Hilde Bye met with a North Norwegian contracting company that warns of a crisis in the industry, and the regional head of the Norwegian Contractors Association says the industry has to deal with too many laws and regulations.   And entrepreneur Frode Nilsen of LNS strongly criticizes the government's lack of Arctic policy.    Almost to illustrate the Arctic as a geopolitical hotspot, submarines, surface ships and aircraft from nine countries are training in anti-submarine warfare in the High North. (Norwegian)   The foundation First Scandinavia has received NOK 8,55 million to invest in STEM education in Northern Norway. (Norwegian)   Speaking of the wounds of the past, journalist Astri Edvardsen has visited the Northern Norwegian Art Museum, where the banned Sámi ladjo (horned cap) has been highlighted. (Norwegian)   Now onto shipping news.   Russia has added four aging LNG tankers to a growing shadow fleet transporting sanctioned Arctic gas cargoes past northern Norway.    And South Korea’s first planned container ship trial voyage along Russia’s Northern Sea Route will include a stop at the Norwegian Arctic port of Tromsø.    More is to come from both Kirkenes and the Northern Norwegian industry, so stay tuned.   Best, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen