Former PM: Norway cannot block Russian activity on Svalbard

Former Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg, has cautioned against proposals to limit Russian activity on Spitsbergen, part of the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

She warned that such measures could breach Norway’s international obligations and heighten tensions in the region, Caliber.Az reports via Norwegian media

Speaking at the national conference of her former party, Høyre, Solberg criticised a proposal from its youth wing, Unge Høyre, which sought to restrict activity on Svalbard by countries without security cooperation agreements with Norway—a clear reference to Russia.

“Spitsbergen is part of the Kingdom of Norway, but we are also bound by the Svalbard Treaty,” Solberg said. “What we restrict others from doing could also be applied to us. Measures like this would violate our international obligations and give Russia reason to claim Norway is breaking the treaty.”

International law expert Geir Ulfstein, emeritus professor at Universitetet i Oslo, supported Solberg’s view. He stressed that Norway cannot bar treaty signatories from Spitsbergen, noting that blanket restrictions based on security cooperation would likely contravene the treaty’s principle of equal treatment.

“The Svalbard Treaty guarantees that all signatory nations enjoy the same rights to reside and conduct business there,” Ulfstein explained. “Any attempt to single out Russia or any other state could put Norway in violation of international law.”

Unge Høyre deputy chair Nicolai Østeby defended the initiative, arguing that both Russia and China have engaged in activities that undermine the treaty’s intentions. He said the proposal was intended to send a strong political signal to states challenging Norway’s authority in the Arctic.

Østeby cited concerns raised by the Norwegian domestic security service, PST, regarding potential espionage on Svalbard, as well as assessments that growing geopolitical competition has increased the strategic importance of the archipelago.

Delegates at the party conference ultimately voted down the proposal, aligning with Solberg’s stance that Norway must avoid measures that could be interpreted as violating international law. While the youth wing expressed disappointment, the party emphasised maintaining stability and control in the High North.

Solberg, now a member of the Norwegian parliament’s foreign affairs and defence committee, underscored that Norway must safeguard its interests on Spitsbergen while acting in accordance with the Svalbard Treaty and international law.

“The goal is to protect Norwegian interests and ensure that activities on Spitsbergen are consistent with our obligations, without giving Russia or any other state a pretext to raise disputes,” she said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev