Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 46
Q&A
International Relations
Norway's ambassador to the United States, Kåre R. Aas,
discusses Norway's top priorities.
BY ANYA BRITZIUS
O
slo native Kåre R. Aas
began his career with
the Norwegian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in 1983.
During his early years, he had
postings in Chile and Geneva
and later became Norway's
ambassador to Afghanistan
and political director at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2013, Aas was appointed
Norway's ambassador to the
United States, working at the
Norwegian Royal Embassy
in Washington, D.C. Viking
spoke with Ambassador Aas
about Norway's most important
strategic priorities and
relationship with the U.S.
Q What are some top priorities
for Norway and the Royal
Norwegian Embassy?
A We have many-from
security and trade to the
environment and processes
relating to peace and
reconciliation throughout the
world. Security and defense
cooperation with the United
States is of core importance
for Norway. We have a close
dialogue with the United States
regarding developments in
the North Atlantic. Climate
change is also a top priority
for Norway. We were the fi rst
country to ratify the Paris
Agreement, which commits
participating countries to setting
goals for reducing greenhouse
gas emissions. The Arctic is
another area of interest for
Norway and the United States.
We are both founding members
of the Arctic Council, and
we work with other nations
to address the challenges
and opportunities of the
High North.
Q Is ocean sustainability a
growing area of interest for
Norway?
A Yes. We are working to
address ocean issues and
promote a sustainable ocean
economy. Norway is a maritime
nation. Fifty percent of
Norwegian waters are north of
the Arctic Circle, and 70 percent
of our revenues are generated
from the ocean. It's an essential
source of food and energy.
Plastic waste is one issue we're
discussing.
Q What is the economic
partnership like between the
United States and Norway?
A The trade relations between
our countries are strong. We
have been trading partners since
Norway became independent
in 1905. Today Norway
supports nearly 500,000 jobs
in the United States, due both
to trade and to investments
by Norwegian businesses
and, in particular, by the
Government's Global Pension
Fund. Norway exports many
46 VIKING JANUARY 2019 sonsofnorway.com
goods and products to the
United States, including fi sh.
Since we have a strong defense
cooperation, there is also lots
of importing and exporting of
military equipment. Norway's
biggest inland investment is
the procurement of the F-35
aircraft. We are buying 52 from
the United States, and it's a huge
investment. Equally important
is Norway's desire for a global
open, rule-based trading system.
Q Why is it important for
Americans to be informed about
issues facing Norway?
A We have a strong
relationship between our two
nations-sharing information
helps us to understand each
other. In this regard, I think
the people-to-people contact is
extremely important. The world
is becoming smaller and smaller.
There are so many opportunities
for us to be engaged and to fi nd
solutions to the challenges
that we all face.
Connect with the
Royal Norwegian
Embassy in
Washington,
D.C., and
Ambassador Aas.
Twitter:
@NorwayUS
@kareraas
Instagram:
@NorwayinUS
Website:
norway.no/usa
Read more from the
interview on Jan. 1 at
sonsofnorway.com/blog.
PHOTO BY BECCA DILLEY
http://www.norway.no/usa
http://www.sonsofnorway.com/blog
http://www.sonsofnorway.com
Viking Magazine - January 2019
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Viking Magazine - January 2019
Contents
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - Cover1
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - Cover2
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - Contents
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 4
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 5
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 6
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 7
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 8
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 9
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 10
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 11
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 12
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Viking Magazine - January 2019 - 46
Viking Magazine - January 2019 - Cover3
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