Norway to open new embassy

Norway will open an embassy in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, on 1 September 2009. “This will put us in a better position to safeguard Norwegian strategic interests in Central Asia,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

Central Asia is gaining strategic importance in both political and economic terms. It is important for Norway to be present and to develop political cooperation in this strategically important region.

“Dialogue, institution-building, democratisation and public-sector development are in international and Norwegian interests. A Norwegian embassy in the region will provide opportunities for increasing our engagement in these areas,” said Mr Støre, who also pointed out that Kazakhstan will take over the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010.

Energy issues are of great interest, also for Norway. Norway’s contact with and support for the authorities is important for private sector development in the region. It is important to strengthen Norway’s presence in a region of such strategic energy policy significance. An embassy could also help promote Norwegian business policy interests.