The high-profile Swedish presenter Johar Bendjelloul met the Prime Minister in Oslo this week. He asks how Norway can defend the enormous income. – The Norwegian state’s income in 2022 from gas and oil is greater than the Swedish state budget, how can you be happy about this when it is largely due to Russia’s war against Ukraine? – We cannot think of it that way. Norway does not determine the price of gas. We have been a producer since the 70s and experienced that the price has gone up and down. If Norway politicized the prices of our energy, then we would lose sovereignty over our own policy, Støre replies. – Large incomes bring responsibility. We are now the largest contributor per capita in support and aid to Ukraine, with 15 billion each year over five years, continues Støre. Norway’s income from oil and gas is estimated at NOK 1,457 billion last year. The Swedish state budget had expenses of SEK 1,231 billion in the same year. Støre is confronted with reactions in Europe to the large Norwegian revenues. Photo: SR Money for the pension fund – Is 15 billion a lot for Ukraine when you consider that Norway earned over 1,400 billion? – Again, if we politicize every kroner that comes in against politics, I think it would be unpredictable, moreover, this goes straight into the Norwegian pension fund, not to the state budget, that is the way Norway handles this, says Støre. – But there has been criticism in Europe. Among others, has the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki been critical of the Norwegian income? – I do not feel that there is any broad criticism of Norway when it comes to this, I would say this: We do not benefit from high gas prices, partly because it also leads to high electricity prices in Norway, says Støre. Prices have fallen Støre believes that Norwegian gas has contributed to lower prices over time. – Norway has been an important supplier of gas to Great Britain and the EU, we have increased by almost ten percent. It has contributed to Germany being able to fill its gas reserves and bring down prices in Europe, says Støre. – We now hope to enter into a green alliance with Europe within a month. We will contribute with, among other things, offshore wind and other green energy. It will be a comprehensive document about the green shift, says Støre. Does not want an EU debate Among several topics, Støre is also asked whether it is time for Norway to become an EU member. – Norway has had referendums twice, I have been a supporter. But in Norway, there is a majority who believe that the current situation is a good situation. – In the current situation, it would be wrong to start a polarizing debate about the EU, we have good arrangements with, among other things, the EEA, so it is not an issue that will be on the agenda in the short term, says Støre to Sveriges Radio.
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Støre rejects that Norway is a war profiteer – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
