Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre joined his counterparts worldwide in condemning the terrorist bombings that left nearly 40 people dead and scores injured in Moscow this week.
Støre, in Canada to discuss political issues with fellow foreign ministers, said the Norwegian government sent its sympathy to the “civilian and innocent victims” after bombs exploded at two underground mass transit stations during the morning rush hour.
“There are many Norwegians who visit Moscow who are familiar with the busy underground system, and can see for themselves the chaos when bombs explode,” Støre told news bureau NTB.
Støre (photo, far left) was able to extend condolences immediately to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (second from left) as the two attended a meeting of the Arctic Ocean Foreign Ministers in Quebec on Monday. Also attending were Canadian Foreign Mnister Lawrence Cannon (center), US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Danish Justice Minister Lars Barfød. They are discussing security issues, stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, arms control and disarmament.
The Norwegian Embassy in Moscow said the information it had received from Russian authorities indicated no Norwegians were killed or injured in Monday’s bombings. Embassy staff was following the situation closely and taking contact with Norwegians living and working in the Russian capital.
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