Researcher believes Norway’s security will be challenged if Finnmark loses jobs
The sanctions against Russia as a result of the war of aggression against Ukraine mean that trade between Finnmark and Russia stops.
The development company Orinor sounds the alarm and warns of 300 out of 2,100 man-years in Kirkenes is directly dependent on cooperation with Russia and 670 are linked to Russia, writes VG.
– We have already seen cases of suppliers who do not want to be sold to companies in Kirkenes because they know that the companies have relations with Russia, says Frode Stålset in Orinor to VG.
Emigration from Finnmark can affect Norway’s security, says chief researcher Kristian Åtland at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI).
– Seen from a security policy perspective, it is important that Sør-Varanger is not depopulated. It is important, also put in a total defense perspective, that national authorities are aware of this issue, says Åtland.