1 Summary and main message
Norwegians travel abroad more and more frequently. In addition, the number of Norwegians holding more than one citizenship has grown, and more Norwegian citizens are settling in other countries. At the same time, the world has become more unstable, and Norwegians are increasingly being affected by wars, pandemics and natural disasters. All this has resulted in a large number of, and in some cases complex, requests for consular assistance. The expectations of Norwegian citizens abroad as to the assistance the Norwegian authorities can provide are at times unrealistic.
In order to reduce the gap between the consular services the Norwegian authorities can offer and the expectations of Norwegian citizens abroad, it is important to ensure that there is general understanding and acceptance of the types of consular services that can be provided and who is eligible to receive assistance.
This white paper identifies key developments and trends and describes the scope and nature of Norway’s consular services today. It discusses whether it is realistic to continue to deliver, and reasonable to expect, the current level of consular services in a globalised and digitalised world, and sets out the guiding principles for how work in this area should be carried out in the future.
The assistance provided by the Norwegian authorities to Norwegians abroad is based, among other things, on the principles of individual responsibility and self-help. Priority will continue to be given to urgent and serious cases where people’s health and safety are at stake, and to cases that could entail violations of human rights and cases involving minors.
Most consular assistance is provided directly by Norway’s 82 embassies and consulates general around the world. Assistance is also provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oslo, and the approximately 300 Norwegian honorary consulates, which are situated in many parts of the world.
Close cooperation on consular affairs has been established with the other Nordic countries, and the EU is an important partner when it comes to consular crisis management abroad. Norway participates actively in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), for example.
This white paper does not contain proposals for any major changes to the consular services provided today, but concludes that the current system for issuing passports at the missions is not sustainable, and therefore proposes adjustments in this area.
As a result of the fact that an increasing number of Norwegians have dual citizenship and more Norwegians live abroad, the Government has proposed carrying out a review to consider in more detail what consequences emigration from Norway should have for the consular assistance offered by the Norwegian authorities.
Providing advice and guidance to Norwegians abroad is a core component of consular assistance. Disseminating clear information is an important means of reducing the need for consular assistance. The Government will strengthen information activities, and in connection with the presentation of this white paper, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to replace the term ‘travel advice’ with ‘travel warning’.
Expenses incurred by the Foreign Service in connection with consular assistance are covered under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ operating budget, whereas the Norwegian citizens concerned will be required to cover their own expenses. Exceptions may be made in complex, acute crisis situations. The Norwegian authorities may demand reimbursement of their expenses in exceptional cases where gross negligence has been shown and where the potential preventive effect of this is a key consideration.
The Government will continue to give priority to providing professional consular services to Norwegians abroad while ensuring sound use of resources.