Norway’s plan to close several embassies around the world has sparked criticism, especially over the looming closure of the embassy in Colombia.
Labour union Unio in Norway has joined the chorus of critics, with Unio leader Anders Folkestad saying that Colombia has “a glaring need for international presence.”
Critics note that Norway has played an active role in trying to broker peace with the major guerrilla movements in Colombia, and also in providing humanitarian aid and other help to strengthen democracy and peace in the country. Closing its embassy, they say, will send the wrong signal.
Unio also claims that Colombia is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for those involved in labour movements.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, however, has said Norway needs to close five embassies (in Colombia, Nicaragua, the Ivory Coast, Slovenia and East Timor) in order to boost Norway’s presence in Brazil, Russia, India, Indonesia and China.
Views and News staff
