– It is not every day that you are called and told that you have lost land to your neighboring country. Ole Anker-Rasch stands outside in a bog in Aremark in Østfold. That is, what was formerly Aremark. Ole Anker-Rasch believes that there are completely natural reasons why the stream has changed direction and made parts of the property Swedish. Photo: Magnus Brenna-Lund / news The stream that separates Norway from Sweden has changed direction. Approximately 500 square meters of what was previously defined as Anker-Rasch’s property, and part of the Kingdom of Norway, now becomes Swedish. – The stream has taken a shortcut. Nature takes its course, and it changes what Norway is and what Sweden is. They are not great values, but still, says the landowner. Updated every 25 years Our border is not as constant as one might think. At regular intervals, you go through again and look for natural changes. – The border maps are only updated when the border rises, which happens every 25 years, says Tor Erik Bakke. He sits on the Norwegian Border Commission. They cooperate with the neighboring countries when they cross the updated national border. Tor Erik Bakke (right) is in the Norwegian border commission, which these days is making the latest border adjustment between Norway and Sweden. Photo: Heidi Sivertzen-Oksmo / news Because even though the Constitution states that Norway is an indivisible kingdom, Mother Earth herself can make changes. – We do not have the authority to move border points. But with the help of aerial photos and surveys of the terrain, we discovered that the stream had changed its course. The new race is the new frontier. Old tradition These days the border commission is making the latest adjustment, a work that started in 2020 and will continue until 2024. This is part of a long tradition. In 1752, a Norwegian and Swedish delegation met on Hisøya in Nordre Kornsjø to initiate the border crossing, the so-called Strømstad Treaty. There began the tradition of deciding where the border should go. Now there has been a change along the border in Aremark. – Now we have to report this to the Norwegian and Swedish foreign ministries. They have to approve this, even if it only applies to an area of approximately 500 square meters, so there can be an official border change in 2024, says Dan Norin in the Lantmäteriet. – Probably going very calmly. What about landowner Ole Anker-Rasch? Can he only lose part of his property? – Landowners in a way lose land, but it is laid down in old treaties and practice that there have been changes at all times to valid boundaries. This only applies to the national border. If something similar happens between plot boundaries in Norway, the boundary does not change, explains Tor Erik Bakke. The landowner himself takes the loss in stride. – This is an unproductive bog, and in any case a protected area. Neither Norway nor Sweden gets any economic benefit from giving or taking, says Anker-Rasch. Ole Anker-Rasch does not think anyone will get upset over the latest border change. Photo: Magnus Brenna-Lund / news Land areas have historically been the source of disputes between what are now two good neighboring countries. Friendship is most important to the landowner, who needs no compensation. – This is probably going very smoothly. No one is likely to get excited about this small adjustment, he chuckles.
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Grensebekk changed direction – now Norway is getting smaller – news Oslo and Viken – Local news, TV and radio
