Latest news with #BirgitLiodden
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Arctic turmoil: After Denmark's worries about Greenland, Norway is now concerned about 60 square kilometres of land up for sale
A vast tract of private land in Norway's northernmost Svalbard region could be sold for about €300 million ($330 million) but the deal has caused alarm in Oslo over national security, despite assurances that the buyers just want to protect the land, as per a report. Private Arctic Land Sale Sparks Security Fears in Norway The private property, called Søre Fagerfjord , covers an area of 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is the last privately owned land in Svalbard, reported Fox News. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Nuclear Power! How India and Pakistan's arsenals stack up Does America have a plan to capture Pakistan's nuclear weapons? Airspace blockade: India plots a flight path to skip Pakistan Søre Fagerfjord is nearly 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the main town of Longyearbyen and has been under the Norwegian's authority for over a century, as per the report. The land had been listed for sale last year, and the government had immediately warned that any sale must be cleared in advance due to security laws, according to Fox News. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crossout: New Apocalyptic MMO Crossout Play Now Undo According to the report, a group of international and Norwegian investors have offered to buy the land, but officials in Norway are concerned that it might give other countries a strategic power in a sensitive Arctic region. Strategic Location Svalbard has recently become more important as melting sea ice has opened up new shipping routes and increased global interest in the region, reported Fox News. The region is governed by a 1920 treaty that provides more than 40 countries, including Russia, China and the United States, equal rights to live and do business in Svalbard, according to the report. Live Events Buyers Claim Environmental Mission While, those who are interested in purchasing have described themselves as environmentalists from NATO countries and say that they want to protect the land, as per Fox News. Birgit Liodden, a shareholder and climate activist said, "The consortium includes both Norwegian and international investors who have a long-term perspective of protecting this territory from environmental changes," as quoted in the report. She also mentioned that at least half the money from the sale would go toward environmental projects in the region itself, however, the group has not discussed the sale with the Norwegian government, reported Fox News. FAQs Who wants to buy the land? A group of Norwegian and international investors who claim to be environmentalists aiming to protect the land. Why is the Norwegian government concerned? Officials fear that foreign ownership could give other nations a strategic foothold in a key Arctic area, as per Fox News.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norway raises security concerns over Manhattan-sized Arctic land sale as tensions rise
A large plot of private land in Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago may soon be sold for about €300 million ($330 million), but the deal has raised concerns in Oslo over national security. The property, known as Søre Fagerfjord, covers roughly 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is the last privately owned land in Svalbard. A group of international and Norwegian investors has offered to buy the land, but officials in Norway worry it could give foreign powers a strategic foothold in a sensitive Arctic region. The land is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the main town of Longyearbyen and has been in Norwegian hands for over a century. It was listed for sale last year, and the government quickly made it clear that any sale must be cleared in advance due to security To Keep Supplying Us Navy With Fuel Despite Company Boycott Call One of the sellers even called it a "strategic foothold in the High Arctic," which has only fueled concerns. Svalbard is becoming more important as melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes and increases global interest in the Needs To Be Convinced Defeat In Ukraine Is Inevitable, Norway's Finance Minister Says The buyers describe themselves as environmentalists from NATO countries who want to protect the land. Read On The Fox News App "The consortium includes both Norwegian and international investors who have a long-term perspective of protecting this territory from environmental changes," said Birgit Liodden, a shareholder and climate activist. She added that about half the money from the sale would go toward environmental projects in Svalbard. So far, the group has not discussed the sale with the Norwegian government. Still, Norwegian officials are cautious. In 2024, they blocked a similar attempt by Chinese investors. Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth warned at the time that such actions could harm regional stability and threaten national interests. Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there. The sellers' lawyer, Per Kyllingstad, said the buyers only want to protect nature and that the sale should not be article source: Norway raises security concerns over Manhattan-sized Arctic land sale as tensions rise
Fox News
30-04-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Norway raises security concerns over Manhattan-sized Arctic land sale as tensions rise
A large plot of private land in Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago may soon be sold for about €300 million ($330 million), but the deal has raised concerns in Oslo over national security. The property, known as Søre Fagerfjord, covers roughly 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and is the last privately owned land in Svalbard. A group of international and Norwegian investors has offered to buy the land, but officials in Norway worry it could give foreign powers a strategic foothold in a sensitive Arctic region. The land is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the main town of Longyearbyen and has been in Norwegian hands for over a century. It was listed for sale last year, and the government quickly made it clear that any sale must be cleared in advance due to security TO KEEP SUPPLYING US NAVY WITH FUEL DESPITE COMPANY BOYCOTT CALL One of the sellers even called it a "strategic foothold in the High Arctic," which has only fueled concerns. Svalbard is becoming more important as melting sea ice opens up new shipping routes and increases global interest in the NEEDS TO BE CONVINCED DEFEAT IN UKRAINE IS INEVITABLE, NORWAY'S FINANCE MINISTER SAYS The buyers describe themselves as environmentalists from NATO countries who want to protect the land. "The consortium includes both Norwegian and international investors who have a long-term perspective of protecting this territory from environmental changes," said Birgit Liodden, a shareholder and climate activist. She added that about half the money from the sale would go toward environmental projects in Svalbard. So far, the group has not discussed the sale with the Norwegian government. Still, Norwegian officials are cautious. In 2024, they blocked a similar attempt by Chinese investors. Trade Minister Cecilie Myrseth warned at the time that such actions could harm regional stability and threaten national interests. Svalbard is governed by a 1920 treaty that gives over 40 countries, including Russia, China and the U.S., equal rights to live and do business there. Russia, which operates a settlement on the islands, has accused Norway of breaking the treaty by increasing its military presence, something Norway HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The sellers' lawyer, Per Kyllingstad, said the buyers only want to protect nature and that the sale should not be blocked.
Bloomberg
29-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Controversial Arctic Parcel of Land May Sell for € 300 Million
A parcel of private land on Norway's Arctic archipelago of Svalbard has attracted a group of buyers that is willing to pay the € 300-million-euro ($341 million) asking price—if the Norwegian government won't overrule the deal on geopolitical concerns. The consortium includes both Norwegian and international investors who 'take a long-term view to protect this area from environmental changes,'' Birgit Liodden, one of the minority shareholders selling the land and a well-known climate activist, said in an interview Friday. Investors include nationals of NATO member states and countries that have signed the Svalbard Treaty, she said, adding the parties have not been in dialogue with the Norwegian government concerning the sale. The Sore Fagerfjord property —14,830-acre plot of land approximately 40 miles away from the island group's main town of Longyearbyen —was put on the market last May. The government subsequently said that any negotiations or agreements on the sale have to be cleared by the state in advance due to national security interests. The Norwegian trade ministry reiterated the stance to Bloomberg on Friday.
