Worries Over Alleged Downsizing in Murmansk
Storskog er den eneste landbaserte grenseovergangen mellom Norge og Russland. Forholdet til Russland oppleves ulikt fra Finnmark til Oslo, skriver Hedda Langemyr. (Foto: Arne O. Holm)
The number of staff at the Norwegian Consulate-General in Murmansk, Russia has been steadily reduced over a period of time. – Worrying, says local Mayor. – Related to visa process streamlining, says the Norwegian MFA.
The number of staff at the Norwegian Consulate-General in Murmansk, Russia has been downsized over a period of time, and will soon count just 17 people. Much of it is due to the transferring of the visa division to the Norwegian Embassy in Moscow.
Local Mayor Rune Rafaelsen (Labour) says to Norwegian broadcaster NRK that he is very worried, arguing that Murmansk is Norway’s most important listening post abroad and that it is vital to maintain a strong presence there.
He is supported by Deputy Chairperson of the Norwegian Socialist Left Party (SV), Kirsti Bergstø.
Deputy Director Kristin Enstad of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the downsizing is a part of a visa process streamlining. – It has nothing to do with our prioritizing of the relationship with Russia, Enstad says to the NTB news agency.