Mæland requests leave from the Storting to make a statement on the planned sale of Bergen Engines AS

‘There has been a great deal of attention around this case in the political sphere and the media. I am therefore asking the Storting for leave to give an oral statement about the issues around the use of financial instruments in relation to activities that pose a threat to security and how the Security Act can be used to counteract this. Additionally, I wish to provide a briefing on work being carried out by the government in this area,’ says Monica Mæland, the Minister of Justice and Public Security.

‘The statement will cover those areas where we are able to offer transparency, but some of the facts in this case are naturally classified,’ Mæland adds.

If the President of the Storting consents to the requested statement, then the Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen will also be present to respond to questions posed by members.

Bergen Engines AS has not been subject to the Security Act and does not have a supplier declaration or security agreement in place with the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Nevertheless, the Security Act can still be invoked in relation to the planned sale. The law has a broad spectrum of tools at its disposal for dealing with cases where there may be a threat to national security interests. This means there is latitude to act, and we are now thoroughly reviewing our next steps,’ says Monica Mæland, Minister of Justice and Public Security.