– Understand that many people feel uneasy – VG
The consequences of the war in Ukraine have moved closer to Norway in recent weeks, and unfortunately the tension level is getting higher, says Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl (Sp). The entire government has taken the consequences of that.
– I understand very well that many people feel uneasy and ask questions about things that are happening. But in all areas of society we are now strengthening preparedness, says Mehl to VG.
This is the case:
- Mehl recently canceled a planned trip to Luxembourg to follow up on preparedness after the last day’s drone cases, NTB reported on Friday.
- Armed police moved out on Thursday evening after drones were observed near the gas plant at Kårstø in Rogaland.
- A Russian citizen has been detained for two weeks after being stopped on the border with Russia at Storskog with drones and large amounts of photos and video from Norway.
– All the members of the government pay close attention to security, it is the most important thing we are doing right now. All have reviewed their sectors: the Minister of Health is responsible for nuclear preparedness and for hospitals and the health system to function. The Minister of Defense has a major responsibility for preparedness. The Minister of Local Government is paying attention to the municipalities’ preparedness, and we have set aside half a billion kroner to strengthen PST, the police, the Civil Defense and preparedness against computer attacks, she points out.
Mehl talks about her first evening as the new Minister of Justice, almost a year ago, when she went to Kongsberg after the murders of five people. She says that there and then it was important to be a support and hug to many who needed it:
– Now I think many people are sitting a little alone and feel uneasiness and insecurity. Then I would have liked to be there and take people by the hand, and talk about what is happening around us. But since that is not possible, it is important for me and the government to state clearly that there are many good people at work at all times to create security in Norway. Although there are many disturbing incidents, we have a good overview, she says.
More events
In recent weeks, the sabotage against the gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea has led to a doubled military presence of vessels in the Baltic Sea, but also in the North Sea, to secure the gas pipelines to Europe.
The alarm at Ormen Lange’s land plant in Aukra municipality quickly turned out to be a phoned-in bomb threat.
And this week, the police arrested and charged a Russian citizen with illegal drone flying in Norway.
– In an unprecedented situation where there is a lot of unrest and many recommended images in the media, it is important for me to be rational and explain what we are doing to ensure high security, says Mehl.
Detect and prevent
– What have we got back from spending half a billion more on social security and three billion more on the Armed Forces this year?
– The work to strengthen security started long before Russia attacked Ukraine in February. After February, it has been important to strengthen our ability to uncover and prevent the risk of sabotage and other types of attacks, circumvention of the sanctions regulations, and handle increased intelligence pressure on Norway, she says.
Mehl points out that there have been more people in PST and the police. The Norwegian Civil Defense and Home Guard have received better equipment and practice more. She points out that the control of ports and borders has been strengthened, and gaps are being closed in the ability to protect society against cyber attacks aimed at, among other things, the oil and gas sector.
– What is most important right now, in your opinion?
– In recent weeks, we have strengthened guarding at several gas plants, where the police have requested and received assistance from the Home Guard. We have also increased vigilance at Storskog. After Finland announced restrictions on its border with Russia, we had to assess the possible consequences for us. We have not closed the border, but have strict controls. It allowed the police to stop the Russian citizen who tried to cross the border with drones this week.
– Why is it necessary to limit Russian fishing boats’ access to Norwegian ports?
– We have had a very clear line that this should not be misused by the Russian authorities. An assessment was made when it became apparent that the tension in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine increased, and the threat picture against Norway thus changed. Based on that situation, it was right to tighten, she says.
Diverted attention
– We must not allow ourselves to be diverted by individual incidents, but protect society as a whole, she clarifies.
– The next scenario will probably not be identical to the previous event. If the incident in the Baltic Sea was sabotage, then a possible purpose may have been to create fear and unrest. Other incidents can be set in motion to divert attention, as we see a different path than where the threat is coming from, she says.
Mehl says that the new center for complex threats that was established in February is important now. The police have gained closer cooperation with PST and other agencies.
New mass notification
Before the turn of the year, DSB, the Directorate for Civil Preparedness, must have a new system in place for mass notification of the population. It will supplement the Civil Defense’s typhoons.
– Population notification gives us the opportunity to go out with information to everyone who has a mobile phone. If, for example, a nuclear incident occurs, we will be able to quickly inform people how to behave. And it can also be conveyed that there is no danger on the way, says Mehl.