Press releases

Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg commented, “After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the EU continued to safeguard peace by enlarging the union to include the new democracies of Central and Eastern Europe. These are projects of historical significance that have helped to secure peace and stability in Europe.”

One year after the attacks on Utøya, the Norwegian Government held a national commemoration for the 77 people who lost their lives.

Yesterday, the UN Human Rights Council held the first debate on how the UN can help to combat violence and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity. Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “This is a historic moment for the UN. Under the leadership of South Africa, we have at last had a debate on how the international community can promote effective protection of human rights for all.”

At the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Senior Officials' Meeting in Copenhagen on 1 March it was decided that Norway would be admitted to the forum. “I am very pleased with the decision taken in Copenhagen. This opens up a new and meaningful forum for dialogue for Norway,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

A new Norwegian-led research project is to identify the economic benefits of investing in women’s health.

The Government decided Friday that Myanmar should no longer be excluded from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). “This is a signal that Norway recognises the political reforms in Myanmar and hopes to see further democratic developments,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The Government has decided that it will no longer urge Norwegian companies to refrain from trade and investment in Myanmar. This was an exclusively Norwegian policy. The decision has been made in response to the progress being made in Myanmar. Norway continues to align itself with the EU sanction regime, which will be considered more closely in the course of the spring.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented, “I am very pleased that a considerable number of political prisoners have been released in Myanmar. This is an important step forward on the country’s path to democracy, peace and reconciliation.”

More than 150 countries and a wide range of organisations have reached agreement on a common framework for development cooperation at the high-level forum in South Korea. For the first time, China, India and Brazil are also on board.

Meeting of the Standing Committee on Women (Scow), Oslo, 17 November 2011