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Norway-Russia: An Arctic Friendship Under Threat

Why the sacking of a Norwegian newspaper editor has caused a political storm that's threatening the special relationship between Russia and Norway.

In Norway, the sacking of a newspaper editor, allegedly after pressure from Russia, has caused a political storm over media freedom, and raised questions over what price the country should pay for good relations with its powerful eastern neighbour. Thomas Nilsen is a veteran environmental activist who edited a paper in the far north of Norway, in a region which has enjoyed a unique cross-border relationship with Russia. Now that is threatened by rising tension between Russia and Nato. And relations have been further strained by the flow of refugees, now coming through Russia into the far north of Norway. Tim Whewell reports on what it means for the Norwegian outpost of Kirkenes, where Norwegians and Russians work closely together in the oil and fishing business and where cooperation and friendship go back decades.

(Photo: Norwegian Lion and a Russian Bear – A delicate dance)

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23 minutes

Last on

Mon 16 Nov 2015 06:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 00:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 03:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 05:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 07:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 18:32GMT
  • Thu 12 Nov 2015 19:32GMT
  • Mon 16 Nov 2015 02:06GMT
  • Mon 16 Nov 2015 06:06GMT

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