Storting representative Ola Elvestuen (V) reacts strongly to that. He does not want Russia’s ambassador among the guests when the peace awards are handed out. – Now it is the Nobel committee that has to make that decision, but it will be a clear indication that it is a completely unacceptable situation, he says to news. On Saturday, the message came that the Swedish Nobel Foundation had changed its mind. They still did not want to invite the ambassadors from Russia, Iran and Belarus to the Nobel celebrations in Stockholm in December. The three countries were initially invited, but after strong political reactions in Sweden and threats of a boycott, the Nobel Foundation turned around. By then it had become known that King Carl Gustaf was also considering whether he should participate. According to Sveriges Radio, the Swedish royal house must have been surprised that the Russian ambassador was invited. – We take to heart the strong reactions in Sweden which have completely overshadowed our message, commented the foundation. Ola Elvestuen believes that the Nobel Committee should do as in Sweden and withdraw the invitations. – President Putin is accused of war crimes by the International Criminal Court in The Hague. It is a very special situation. – I think Sweden has made a wise decision and I think the same should be done for the peace prize award in Oslo as long as Russia is waging an ongoing war of aggression under international law, says Elvestuen. Storting representative Ola Elvestuen (V). Photo: Vidar Ruud / NT Norway invites all countries For over 70 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has followed the practice of inviting all countries’ ambassadors and representatives in the Storting to the Norwegian capital. This also applies to Russia’s and Belarus’ ambassadors, who were invited to Oslo last year, despite the Russian hostilities. Head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, believes it is an important principle to invite everyone. – The Peace Prize is a universal prize, and we want to communicate what the prize stands for and who has received it. We also always invite ambassadors who may be in a conflicting relationship with the award winners. Last year there were representatives of both Belarus, Russia and Ukraine on stage as recipients of the award and their ambassadors were all invited, says Reiss-Andersen. So far, there are also no plans to withdraw the invitations to this year’s Norwegian award ceremony. Head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen. Photo: STIAN LYSBERG SOLUM / AFP – A misinterpretation Berit Reiss-Andersen comments on the criticism from the Liberal Party as follows: – It is a short circuit and a misinterpretation if you think that you will in any way support these countries’ representatives by inviting them. She is also critical of the fact that the Swedish Nobel Foundation chose to withdraw the invitations to Russia, Belarus and Iran. – The Nobel Foundation’s board has taken a position of principle that everyone should be invited. But that changed when you saw the violent reaction in Sweden. I am critical of Swedish politics in that way governing how a universal price should behave, she says. King Carl Gustaf considered whether he would participate in the Nobel celebrations in Stockholm. Photo: Vegard Wivestad Grøtt / NTB
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Thinks Norway should not invite Russia to the peace prize ceremony – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
