The terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001 put the war on terror firmly on the international agenda. International terrorism is currently one of the international community’s most urgent challenges.
Norway strongly believes that a broad range of measures must be used in the fight against terrorism, including political, diplomatic, and financial measures. The use of military force, as in Afghanistan against Al Qaida and the Taliban, should be a last resort. The fight against terrorism must at all times be focused, appropriate, and carried out within the bounds of international law. It must not be used as an excuse to set aside human rights.
The terrorist threat looms over all people and all societies, and all countries have an obligation to support the fight against terrorism in accordance with UN decisions. This was underlined in the 2005 UN World Summit Outcome Document, in which the member states condemned all terrorism, irrespective of its form or purpose, and declared that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security today. It is important that the UN leads global anti-terrorism efforts, and Norway will actively seek to strengthen the UN in this respect.
The ongoing work on an integrated anti-terrorism convention and a comprehensive strategy is an important part of the UN’s fight against terrorism. In addition, it is important that the UN cooperates closely with regional organisations like the EU, NATO, and the OSCE in coordinating international efforts.
The fight against international terrorism will guide NATO’s future activities. The Norwegian Government actively supports the efforts currently being made to strengthen NATO’s capacity in the anti-terrorism field. NATO will in future play a more active part in stabilising Afghanistan, through its support for the UN-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan (ISAF). Norway is also involved in NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Mediterranean.
In addition, Norway’s involvement in the fight against terrorism has included holding several international conferences on the subject, and funding comprehensive research in Norway and other countries.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs