Norwegian PM: migrants need to work more and fit in
- 8 years ago
For a relatively small country, Norway is certainly at the cross roads of many global hot topics and the prime minister has to navigate issues such as growing tensions with Russia, Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and the refugee crisis.
Isabelle Kumar spoke to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, at the Council of Europe for the World Forum for Democracy, in Strasbourg, France.
Biography: Erna Solberg
Solberg became Prime Minister in October 2013
She has been leader of the Conservative Party since 2004
Was dubbed ‘iron Erna’ in early 2000’s for her stance on immigration
She enjoys computer games and currently plays Pokemon Go
Isabelle Kumar: “You share a short border with Russia. You have recently agreed to have US troops stationed in your country and that seems to have sparked a certain amount of displeasure in Moscow…”
Erna Solberg: “I am not worried about that. We have a good relationship with Russia on a lot of issues. It is part of what we need to make sure that our allied countries are coming to our country to learn how to do warfare in a winter situation and to work with our different troops…”
Isabelle Kumar: “But Russia does not like the fact that there are these troop build-ups on its border in Nordic countries but also in Eastern Europe – do you think there is a certain amount of provocation there?”
Erna Solberg: “We don’t feel there is a tension on the same level in the north as we have seen in the Baltic sea for example. But we are firm on the fact that when Russia has been breaking international law, the situation in Ukraine, we are supporting the Ukrainian people, but at the same time in the northern part we are trying to have a good open relationship with the Russians.”
Isabelle Kumar: “You have built a fence between yourselves and Russia – it is one of the many fences going up these days – that’s to curb immigration… It has been deemed to be successful in some circles because immigration has been cut by 95 percent.”
Erna Solberg: “We had good talks with Russia on a diplomatic basis, I think they knew this was a security area for them. They have three fences before anyone reaches the Norwegian border on the Russian side, so I think to curb migrants from using this area was important for them too.”
Isabelle Kumar: “Is it sensible to be building these barriers to stop people coming in, who are in desperate need?”
Erna Solberg: “We are one of those countries that are resettling the most refugees: 3,100 people are being taken out by the UNHCR quotas to come to Norway. We have done this for a stable long period, so even if we have a low number this year and a large number last year we are in fact participating a lot in this humanitarian crisis.”
Isabelle Kumar: “High levels of education are obviously associated to greater tolerance of diversity and pluralism, so what are you doing to educate Norwegians to be more welcoming to refugees? Because we often ask refugees to integrate, but
Isabelle Kumar spoke to Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, at the Council of Europe for the World Forum for Democracy, in Strasbourg, France.
Biography: Erna Solberg
Solberg became Prime Minister in October 2013
She has been leader of the Conservative Party since 2004
Was dubbed ‘iron Erna’ in early 2000’s for her stance on immigration
She enjoys computer games and currently plays Pokemon Go
Isabelle Kumar: “You share a short border with Russia. You have recently agreed to have US troops stationed in your country and that seems to have sparked a certain amount of displeasure in Moscow…”
Erna Solberg: “I am not worried about that. We have a good relationship with Russia on a lot of issues. It is part of what we need to make sure that our allied countries are coming to our country to learn how to do warfare in a winter situation and to work with our different troops…”
Isabelle Kumar: “But Russia does not like the fact that there are these troop build-ups on its border in Nordic countries but also in Eastern Europe – do you think there is a certain amount of provocation there?”
Erna Solberg: “We don’t feel there is a tension on the same level in the north as we have seen in the Baltic sea for example. But we are firm on the fact that when Russia has been breaking international law, the situation in Ukraine, we are supporting the Ukrainian people, but at the same time in the northern part we are trying to have a good open relationship with the Russians.”
Isabelle Kumar: “You have built a fence between yourselves and Russia – it is one of the many fences going up these days – that’s to curb immigration… It has been deemed to be successful in some circles because immigration has been cut by 95 percent.”
Erna Solberg: “We had good talks with Russia on a diplomatic basis, I think they knew this was a security area for them. They have three fences before anyone reaches the Norwegian border on the Russian side, so I think to curb migrants from using this area was important for them too.”
Isabelle Kumar: “Is it sensible to be building these barriers to stop people coming in, who are in desperate need?”
Erna Solberg: “We are one of those countries that are resettling the most refugees: 3,100 people are being taken out by the UNHCR quotas to come to Norway. We have done this for a stable long period, so even if we have a low number this year and a large number last year we are in fact participating a lot in this humanitarian crisis.”
Isabelle Kumar: “High levels of education are obviously associated to greater tolerance of diversity and pluralism, so what are you doing to educate Norwegians to be more welcoming to refugees? Because we often ask refugees to integrate, but