It is almost three weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, and every day it is reported that human lives have been lost. The brutal war has already led to huge refugee flows across European borders.
The government has publicly stated that Norway is opening its doors to Ukrainian refugees, and is disclosing more and more places where they can stay.
This potential influx of refugees to Norway was also one of the topics discussed at the Conservative Party’s board meeting on Sunday afternoon. Party leader Erna Solberg came with a clear message to the government. She misses a clearer refugee plan for the Ukrainians who arrive in Norway.
– We must have a system that allows the refugees who come to Norway to stay in Norway. It is conceivable that some of the refugees from Ukraine will stay, we know nothing about that yet. I think it is better that we ensure that they now have a quick opportunity to get to work and learn Norwegian alongside, says Solberg to Nettavisen.
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She believes one of the concrete measures the government should introduce is a fast track into working life. Much of the reason for this is that we do not yet know how long the war will last.
– I think this is a group that will benefit from getting to work quickly and earning their own money. For it is clear that, if this now lasts for three months or up to a year, people may want to return to Ukraine. But if this lasts for 5 years, people may want to stay here, says Solberg.
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– A greater responsibility
Recently, several have noticed in the friendly tone of the right wing against the refugee flows. Never before have Norwegians become so involved in a war that does not directly concern our own country.
Several draw parallels to the war in Syria, and the subsequent influx of refugees in 2015, where some claim that the political tone was different. However, the former Prime Minister believes that the situation that is unfolding in Europe is something different from what we have experienced before.
– I probably feel that we have a greater responsibility for the refugees who come from Europe. We must remember that now Poland is what Lebanon and Jordan were for Syria. We are the immediate area, Solberg emphasizes to Nettavisen.
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She adds that the government should help more refugees in Poland and Moldova, but that more should also be brought to Norway.
– People talk about skin color, and that it is the difference, but I think you should think a little about how close this is. It is 200 kilometers shorter to Kirkenes than it is to Kyiv, says Solberg.
MDG will use the oil money
Several of the parties have come up with different solutions for how the crisis should be handled. Common to all the statements is that the parties will help Ukrainians on the run.
MDG leader Une Bastholm, among other things, went out on twitter and claimed that Norway should use the profits from oil revenues in Ukraine. This will mean several billion kroner, if prices continue to rise at the current pace.
The MDGs propose that extra oil revenues from the war go to humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Ukraine, to make Europe independent of Russian gas and to prevent distress caused by rising energy and food prices in poor countries.
– Une Bastholm (@Uneaba) March 11, 2022
Solberg believes this will be of little help, at a time when the oil fund is losing money on the stock exchange.
– There are always many good ideas on how to spend a lot of money, but we have to think a little about, Solberg says to Nettavisen.
Also read: Will give 1,500 billion kroner to Ukraine: – We can not enrich ourselves on Russia’s invasion
– This war also creates a crisis for many of the international stock exchanges, which means that we get less in return, she says and adds that Norway should find room to help through the state budget.
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