- Norway–Western Sahara relations
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Norwegian–West Saharan relations 
Western Sahara
NorwayNorway–Western Sahara relations pertain to Norway's relations to Western Sahara, an area claimed by both the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Morocco.
Western Sahara was formerly a Spanish colony. Norway put pressure on Francoist Spain in international forums.[citation needed] When it comes to the dispute between the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Morocco, Norway supports United Nations-run negotiations between the parties "to achieve a lasting political solution to the conflict".[1]
When it comes to foreign involvement in Western Sahara, Norway's position is to "refrain from actions that may come across as a legitimation of the situation in Western Sahara".[2] In a session of the Norwegian Parliament, Jonas Gahr Støre underlined that the term "situation" must be understood as an attempt of neutrality, refraining from using terms such as Moroccan occupation or annexation.[3] Among the entities affected by this position of Norway is the Kerr-McGee Corporation, which was excluded from the Government Pension Fund - Global on 29 April 2005 for conducting petroleum surveying in Western Sahara.[4]. This position was reversed on 30 June 2006, after Kerr-McGee had concluded its involvement there.[5]
Norway itself channels foreign aid to Western Sahara. In 2009 Norway gave NOK 11.9 million (about US$1.9 million at the time) to amend the humanitarian situation in Western Sahara. It was said to be a doubling of the 2008 aid. The funds are administered via the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Land Mine Action and the Norwegian Church Aid.[1]
The Rafto Foundation for Human Rights awarded Sahrawian Sidi Mohammed Daddach the Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize in 2002. This should not be considered an official Norwegian state award. Another endeavor not run directly by the Norwegian state is the Norwegian Support Committee for Western Sahara.
See also
- Politics of Western Sahara
- Foreign relations of Morocco#Western Sahara
- Legal status of Western Sahara
References
- ^ a b "Norway doubles support to the Sahrawi population" (Press release). Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Government.no. 10 July 2009. http://www.regjeringen.no/en/dep/ud/press/News/2009/sahrawi_people.html?id=571184. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Vest-Sahara" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Government.no. 2007. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/tema/norgesfremme-og-kultursamarbeid/norges-omdomme/bedrifters-samfunnsansvar/vest-sahara.html?id=480822. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Svar på spørsmål vedrørende situasjonen i Vest-Sahara" (in Norwegian). Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Government.no. 9 January 2008. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/aktuelt/svar_stortinget/sporretime/2008/svar-pa-sporsmal-vedrorende-situasjonen-.html?id=496159. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "Første selskap utelukket fra Petroleumsfondet" (in Norwegian) (Press release). Norwegian Ministry of Finance/Government.no. 6 June 2005. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dokumentarkiv/Regjeringen-Bondevik-II/Finansdepartementet/234231/234458/forste_selskap_utelukket_fra_petroleumsfondet.html?id=256344&epslanguage=NO. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
- ^ "KerrMcGee Corporation tas inn igjen i Statens pensjonsfond - Utland" (in Norwegian) (Press release). Norwegian Ministry of Finance/Government.no. 1 September 2006. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/fin/pressesenter/pressemeldinger/2006/KerrMcGee-Corporation-tas-inn-igjen-i-Statens-pensjonsfond---Utland.html?id=271732&epslanguage=NO. Retrieved 27 July 2009.
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