Flag of Norway. Archival photoMURMANSK, July 1The Norwegian Consulate General in Murmansk, which has been operating in the polar capital for almost 30 years, is closing on Friday by decision of the Kingdom's Foreign Ministry. The closure of the Consulate General became known on June 8. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had decided to temporarily close from July 1, and promised that the diplomatic mission would reopen «when the situation allows», but the closure may be long-term.
The Embassy of Belgium has suspended the acceptance of applications for short-stay visasThe reason for the closure of the consulate is the curtailment of cross-border cooperation programs and joint projects. As explained in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in the conditions of the almost complete absence of activity, it makes no sense to continue work as usual. The Consulate General has always emphasized that the Murmansk region is a special region, and it is important for Norway to have a representative office in the north, which can protect Norwegian interests. The consulate was opened in Murmansk in 1993. For many years it was located in a separate mansion in the city center, but several years ago the regional authorities did not renew the lease, and the diplomatic mission moved to a more modest building. At the same time, Norwegian diplomats have repeatedly voiced plans to build a separate building for the consulate in Murmansk. Over the years of the work of the consulate in Murmansk, many joint projects have been implemented in various fields, passports for border residents have been introduced.
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