Norway tightens control over Svalbard amid diplomatic objections

Norway has moved to more firmly assert sovereignty over the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, tightening rules on voting, land sales and foreign researchers and extending claims over surrounding seabed, measures that officials say are meant to safeguard its territory. The steps come against the backdrop of a century‑old treaty that grants signatories visa‑free access and equal rights to hunting, fishing, mining and land ownership, and after decades of international scientific and civilian presence on the islands.

Norway’s state secretary, Eivind Vad Petersson, said, “Norway now finds itself in the most serious security situation since 1945,” and added, “This is Norwegian sovereign territory. So we’re making that a bit clearer.” The changes have scrambled the lives of Chinese scientists, Russian miners, foreign residents and longtime immigrants, including two Thai brothers who say they now worry about their future.

Controversy has centered on Norway’s bid to explore deep‑sea minerals in a large section of seabed, announced in January 2024. Russia called the move “illegal,” Iceland warned Norway’s sovereignty had “important limitations,” and the European Union described Norway’s position as “incoherent.” Domestic opposition led Norway’s government to agree in December to wait four years before issuing seabed mining licences, even as the Energy Ministry said its goal remained the “profitable and sustainable” pursuit of seabed minerals.

Key Topics

World, Svalbard, Norway, Svalbard Treaty, Seabed Mining, Eivind Vad Petersson