Prime Minister Rejects Oil Drilling in the North Pole

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During a debate in ONS (Offshore Northern Seas) in Stavanger, Ole Borten Moe says it will gradually be given access to new areas on the Norwegian shelf according to NTB.
- I see no reason to stop it. The borders of Norway reach almost up to the North Pole, the minister says.

Ole Borten Moe announced then in Stavanger Aftenblad that he hoped to present a plan next year, to explore the areas in the Arctic.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg told VG Thursday that this is not their current policy.
- The Government’s policy remains unchanged. The policy is expressed in the petroleum message and administration plan for the Barents Sea - Lofoten, and does not imply oil drilling in the North Pole, Stoltenberg says.

Even government colleague from SV reacted strongly to Borten Moe’s initiative. Minister of Environment, Bård Vegar Solhjell stated that the Minister of Petroleum and Energy could just forget about his initiative. - SV will not be part of a government that is drilling for oil in the North Pole. This is not our policy, he tells Aftenposten.

Bellona President Frederic Hauge called Borten Moe an "oil extremist."

- We encourage Borten Moe to move to the North Pole and live with Santa Claus if he believes there is no conflict between oil and environment in these areas, Bellona President Frederic Hauge says to NTB.