Researcher Asle Toje calls Norway’s victory in Wednesday’s UN vote “the pinnacle of Norwegian diplomacy”.

– Once you’re involved, it’s good to win. Norwegian diplomats have put in countless hours of work here. It was a great win against a strong field, Toje told NTB.

On Wednesday, Norway secured a place among the 15 member states of the UN Security Council from 2021 to 2022. Five of the ten non-permanent members are replaced each year.

Norway, Ireland and Canada are fighting for two places on the Security Council for the countries of the so-called Western group. Ireland and Norway were selected, while Canada had to be defeated.

Toje thinks Norway won the vote very positively.

– It’s good that it is possible to reach the top when you play properly, he says.

But he answers no to questions asking whether he thinks Norway will make a difference.

– The ten countries that are not permanent members of the Security Council have little opportunity to set an agenda. That often results in them getting observer status if they haven’t set specific targets, and I haven’t heard of Norway doing that.

– This is the fifth time that Norway has taken part. Traditionally, a Nordic country is represented, but neither Finland nor Iceland could be selected when they tried.

Støre: Norway has the backbone to make it happen

– Now we have regained confidence. This is good news, says Jonas Gahr Støre, leader of the Ap.

– It is right that Norway, with our values ​​and our historic commitment to peace, security and development, makes us available for the position of trust that is that of member of the Security Council. It is a tradition for the Nordic countries to undertake this task. Norway did this nearly 20 years ago, Støre writes on Facebook.

– Some oppose taking on such a responsibility, pointing out that it can be uncomfortable to have to take a stand between the major world powers. But Norway has the necessary framework to achieve this, he continues.

Støre congratulates Prime Minister Erna Solberg (H), Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide, UN Ambassador Mona Juul, Campaign Manager Ragnhild Imerslund and all those who have worked hard and hard to bring Norway in to the Security Council.

– They deserve a party tonight, said Støre.

Tybring-Gedde: megalomaniac political madness

– The new place granted to Norway on the UN Security Council is the expression of a megalomaniac political madness, believes Father Christian Tybring-Gjedde.

It is a defeat for those of us who want Norway to use diplomacy to promote its national interests in foreign policy, he continued.

He believes that Norway depends on its good relations with the three major world powers – and that its place on the Security Council will continually test this.

Norway has already served four times on the Security Council, the last time between 2001 and 2002. Already in 2007, Norway launched its candidacy ahead of this year’s elections.