Oil and gas exporting Norway does not see itself as a beneficiary of the Ukraine war and the high energy prices in Germany and beyond. “It is not in our interest to have these high and volatile gas prices,” said Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in an interview with the “Handelsblatt” and three other European newspapers.
The high prices are the result of the gas shortage and the war started by Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. They also influenced electricity prices in Norway.
“There are no winners in war, only losers on all sides,” Støre said. The most important contribution his country can make to Europe is the production and export of gas. Gas exports to Europe have increased by eight to ten percent. “Without this increase, prices in the European market would have risen even more.” Germany described Støre as its country’s “leading industrial partner”.
Concern in Norway about drone sightings
Norway borders Russia in the far north. In recent weeks, drones have repeatedly been sighted over sensitive infrastructure in the Scandinavian country, including oil platforms in the North Sea and airports. Several airports therefore had to be temporarily closed.
Norway is concerned about the explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Danish and Swedish economic zones in the Baltic Sea. The secret service has started investigations.
According to Støre, seven Russians were arrested in the context. So far, however, the drone activities have not been linked to any country’s authorities, he said at a press conference in Oslo on Thursday. However, if secret service work is being carried out using drones from Russia, then this must be stopped.
