Viking Magazine - February 2014 - 46

Q&A
Making Norway Matter
Meet Ambassador Kåre R. Aas, the new ambassador of
Norway to the United States. BY ANYA BRITZIUS
n September, Kåre R. Aas
presented his credentials to
President Barack Obama.
Since his career began in 1983,
Aas has been stationed in
Chile, Switzerland, Belgium
and Kabul, where he served
as Ambassador to the Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan for
two years. Until his arrival
in Washington, D.C., last
August, Aas held the position as
political director for the Foreign
Ministry in Oslo. Viking caught
up with the new Norwegian
Ambassador to the United States
to hear about his position.
I
Q How does it feel to be the
ambassador of Norway to the
United States?
A It feels great. To serve as the
Norwegian ambassador to the
United States of America is an
immense privilege and honor.
The United States remains our
closest international friend and
ally, and the U.S. will always be
a highly valued strategic partner
for Norway.
Q In your new role, what
are some goals you hope to
accomplish and challenges
you hope to overcome?
A We will work in line with
the new government's political
platform. Norway has close
ties with the United States on a
broad set of political, economic,
cultural and social issues, and
it is essential that we remain
a visible and active partner. I
am especially looking forward
to working with Norwegian
business relations in the United
States as well as strengthening
our military cooperation and
helping to promote the wide
range of contemporary culture
Norway has to offer. The Arctic,
health, the environment, peace
and stability, and national
security are other issues. Finding
your place and voice as a small
country is always a challenge,
but we are fortunate to build
on strong historical ties with
the United States as Norway's
closest friend and ally.
Q You've had a distinguished
career with the
Norwegian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs. How did your
position in Oslo as political
director help prepare you for
this new role?
A In my role as political
director, I was in regular
contact with offi cials, policy
makers, think tanks and other
decision makers here in the
United States. Since I started at
the Foreign Ministry in 1983,
I have always enjoyed working
with my American colleagues.
My background has also given
46 VIKING FEBRUARY 2014 sonsofnorway.com
President Obama and Ambassador
Kåre R. Aas at the White House on
Sept. 17, 2013, after Ambassador
Aas presented his credentials.
me a solid understanding of
American foreign policy.
Q What inspires your
passion for diplomacy?
A Working with other nations,
learning to see the world from
their point of view and working
together toward solving global
issues give my role tremendous
meaning. My focus is always
to push forward for change.
The point must always be to
make a difference.
Q What can Norwegian
Americans do to promote
diplomacy between the two
countries?
A The value of having 6 million
Norwegian Americans in North
America is outstanding. Their
local knowledge combined with
their Norwegian heritage makes
them in many ways the glue
that binds our nations together.
I can't wait to meet as many of
them as I can.
Name:
Kåre R. Aas
Title:
Ambassador of
Norway to the
United States
Hometown:
Oslo, Norway
Current City:
Washington, D.C.
http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - February 2014

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