Søreide will not block Putin’s visit to Kirkenes

Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen SøreideForeign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide.Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix

Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide is open for Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to be invited to the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Finnmark next year.

 

– “This is something the government is now considering. I would like to stress that it is still early in the process, because this is one year away at this time.

It is important for us to mark this anniversary in a nice and respectful way, as we have done on previous occasions,” says Søreide (H).

She spoke Friday about Norway’s relationship with Russia at NUPI’s Great Arctic Conference in Oslo. In the spurs round after the speech, the mark of the liberation of Finnmark during World War II was recorded.

Exactly how the selection will be conducted is still subject to discussion, according to the Foreign Minister.

– “The tradition has been an invitation on a Foreign Minister level. It means a lot for Norway to thank all those who actually contributed. We must show gratitude for those who risked and gave their lives and participated in very serious blows,” she says.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today