Today is 600 days since the Supreme Court ruled that the Fosen wind power plants in Trøndelag conflict with indigenous rights. Demonstrations have been announced outside the Storting. Down towards Jernbanetorget, the parade street is marked by posters referring to the action. And among other things, the famous lion sculptures on Løvebakken have been equipped with reindeer antlers. The lion sculptures on Løvebakken have been equipped with reindeer antlers Photo: NTB The Fosen campaigners started the demonstration in front of the Castle on Friday. They have been sitting in front of the Prime Minister’s office after they asked Jonas Gahr Støre to take responsibility for the Fosen case during yesterday’s action. Ida Helene Benonisen is ready for today’s demonstration: – We will have appeals, and cultural elements, and we will say that we refuse to be overlooked. Ida Helene Benonisen Photo: Torgeir Varsi / news Bring in a mediator State Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Energy (Ap) Elisabeth Sæter has a great understanding that it is a big burden for the reindeer herders on Fosen, who have been dealing with this for many years now. She would also like to see them go further. – But important things have happened in the last 100 days, she says. – I would particularly like to point out that we have set up a mediation table between the reindeer herders at Fosen and the wind power concessionaires – led by a neutral mediator. I think that has been important in getting the parties to the table, she says. State Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Energy (Ap) Elisabeth Sæter hopes that a track of mediation between the parties can provide a solution. Photo: Håkon Benjaminsen / news It was the Minister of Oil and Energy who asked Mats Ruland to lead the negotiations. He is a national mediator in Norway, with a lot of experience in mediation in difficult conflicts. But here he leads the negotiations as a private person, she says. She is happy that there are talks between the parties. – Fortunately, there is a process that is now up and running which I hope can be carried out so that we get a quick solution to the matter, says Sæter. Ruland does not wish to comment on the negotiations to news. More meetings According to Sæter, there is progress and the process is well under way. What concretely has happened since the first mediation meeting between the parties on 15 May? – I think it is important now that the mediation meetings have peace around them. At the same time, I can confirm that there have been several meetings after the start-up meeting at Værnes, and more meetings are planned, says Sæter. What time perspective do you imagine it will take before you arrive at a solution? – With my hand on my heart, I can say that it shouldn’t take a day longer than necessary. Then I hope that the mediation table can lead. Because it can be a faster way to the goal. I do not intend to set an end date for when they must be finished. It is up to national mediator Mats Ruland to assess, she says. She adds that if such a trail were to lead to an acceptable agreement between the parties that would ensure reindeer husbandry at Fosen. Then it will be possible to go much faster than a formal race towards a conversion decision that fills up the Supreme Court judgement. More actions This winter, activists also demonstrated outside several ministries in the capital. It was 500 days after the Supreme Court, on 11 October 2021, determined that the wind power plant at Fosen in Trøndelag conflicts with indigenous rights. They campaigned with demands that the Supreme Court judgment must be followed and the wind turbines demolished. So now 600 days have passed.
ttn-69
There have been several meetings – news Norway – Overview of news from various parts of the country
