ALBA/SCOTLAND: EDINBURGH CONSULATE - NORWEGIAN GOVERNMENT RESPOND

The Norwegian government has responded to concerns expressed by the Celtic League following its decision to downgrade the status of its consular representation in Scotland (see below):

«Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway

8th October 2008

Dear Rhisiart Tal-e-bot

Thank you for your letter of 17th September 2008 to Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store expressing your concern regarding the change of status of the Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh.

As you may have noticed the Consulate General was formally reorganised from a career station to an Honary Consulate effective from 1st October this year. As new Honorary Consul General the Norwegian Government has appointed Chief Executive of Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Mr David Windmill. Assisted by a full time Consular Secretary, the Norwegian Embassy in London and Innovation Norway the new Consulate General will continue to pursue and strengthen its focus on important fields of cooperation between Norway and Scotland. Main priorities will be on previous successful initiatives but also new projects where we have common interests.

The Honary Consulate will also continue to work on Norwegian arts and culture projects in Scotland to ensure that Norway will be strongly represented in the country as seen in previous years.

Furthermore, the Consulate General deal with consular affairs, assisting the Scottish-Norwegian communities, Norwegian nationals and provide information about Norway and Norwegian-Scottish relations to local authorities and the general public. Relations between countries and peoples as close as ours involve both formal and informal cooperation. Through foreign representation as well as through the many institutions and organisations working to preserve and develop new arenas of contacts, I am confident that we have a solid base for further cooperation regardless of the recent adjustment of our consular representation in Edinburgh.

Let me assure you that the change of status of the Consulate General does not mean that Scotland has become less important to us. Resting on deep historic bonds, Scotland will always hold a special place in the relationship between Norway and the United Kingdom.

Sincerely yours

Anne K. Lund Director General»

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 31/10/08