Newsletter: Taxes, Exercises, and Sanctions

Read in Norwegian.

March 8th was the International Women's Day. High North News marked the day with two op-eds: 

“Gender Equality is back on the Arctic agenda – this time for good?” asks researcher Malgorzata Smieszek-Rice.

Women played an essential role and had versatile responsibilities. State intereference in reindeer husbandry led to changes in gender roles and family structures, write Sami Parliament President Silje K. Muotka and Sami Parliament member Berit M. Eira (Norwegian only). 

Security policy 

On Monday, the air forces kicked off the military exercise Nordic Response, which expands across the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. High North News Journalist Hilde-Gunn Bye was present. 

The presidency of Finland was recently handed over from Sauli Niinistö to Alexander Stubb. 

And Sweden's brand new NATO membership was the topic when Stubb met Norway's prime minister during a visit of the allied defense forces currently training in Finnmark during Nordic Response.

Taxes and cooperation

Editor and Commentator Arne O. Holm writes about taxes in this week's commentary: 

“Norwegian State-owned Statkraft has paid its employees NOK 1,8 billion in bonuses. Far enough to cover the tax revenues of all municipalities in Finnmark in Northern Norway." 

In recent years, the number of young people in the Barents Region has plummeted. High North News' intern Marie Staberg has met the chair of the Barents Regional Youth Council, who is clear on what must be done. (Norwegian only) 

“Going forward, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, which no longer includes Russia, can serve as a forum for strengthened regional efforts for societal and business development on the Cap of the North,” says Norway's MFA Espen Barth Eide. 

Transport and sanctions 

There have been clear expectations and demands for double tracks on the Ofoten Line between Sweden and Norway in the Norwegian National Transport Plan. The Norwegian Minister of Transport said to High North News that three new passing sidings would be built “as a way to double tracks.” 

Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 energy project offers a masterclass on how difficult it is to design effective sanctions.

A month before the EU Parliament is expected to vote on a directive to give states a tool to block the flow of Russian liquefied gas, some member states are voicing concern that the proposed measures are insufficient to undo long-term contracts. 

Read about this and more at High North News. 

On behalf of the editorial staff, I wish you a good week. 

Best, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen