Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said in a statement that the decision was “an important measure to narrow down and combat the influence of Russian intelligence activities in Norway, thereby securing national interests”.
Emphasizing that the 15 Russian diplomats declared “persona non grata” should leave the country as soon as possible, Huitfeldt said, “We will not give visas to intelligence officers who apply for visas to Norway.” said.
Huitfeldt did not give details as to whether the government took the decision based on a specific event, and said that the country’s Internal Intelligence Service, PST, would make the necessary statement on the subject.
While it was stated that the activities of the expelled diplomats were “incompatible with their diplomatic status”, Huitfeldt said, “We are not talking about ordinary diplomats, but intelligence officers operating under diplomatic guise.” used the phrase.
The Norwegian newspaper VG wrote that the number of expelled Russian diplomats “is the first time this many”.
The newspaper stated that about 40 people work at the Russian Embassy in Oslo and the Kirkenes and Barentsburg consulates, including the deported diplomats.
STATEMENT OF “RETIL” FROM RUSSIA
The Russian Embassy in Norway, on the other hand, described the decision as an “extremely hostile step” and announced that there would be “retaliation” against it.
Minister Huitfeldt, reacting to the retaliatory statements, said, “Russia has no reason to respond. We have Norwegian diplomats in Russia, but none of them are intelligence officers.” said.
Stating that his country wants to establish normal diplomatic relations with Russia, Huitfeldt said, “We do not want people who claim to be diplomats and are actually intelligence officers.” used the phrase.
Norway expelled three Russian diplomats last year for allegedly being intelligence officers.
NATO member Norway has a 198-kilometer border with Russia at the North Pole. (AA)