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PM: Norway will work closely with President-Elect Trump

NTB/The Local
NTB/The Local - [email protected]
PM: Norway will work closely with President-Elect Trump
Norwegian PM Erna Solberg extended her congratulations to Donald Trump. Photo: MANDEL NGAN/SCANPIX

Donald Trump’s surprising election to the presidency will not affect Norway’s relationship with the US, Prime Minister Erna Solberg said on Wednesday morning.

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“The American people have chosen and Donald Trump will be the new president. I congratulate him on the election victory,” the prime minister said in a statement delivered just hours after Trump was declared the winner. 
 
Solberg characterized the election as a tight and hard-fought race dominated by the exchange of strong words between the two candidates and their supports. She said she was glad to see Trump strike a gracious tone when referencing his rival Hillary Clinton in his victory speech. 
 
“I am happy that Trump has welcomed a wide coalition. The election campaign is over and now you have to stand together. The US is our closest ally, and we have common values. We want to continue the good cooperation,” the PM said. 
 
Solberg said that she would focus on safeguarding Norwegian interests and although some of Trump’s comments have made Nato allies worry about his commitment, Solberg said that it is clearly in the United States’ interest to maintain a good relationship within the alliance. 
 
According to Solberg, the Norwegian government is working on establishing “good contacts” within the Trump camp. 
 
“We want to create good bonds and possibilities for good solutions,” she said. 
 
Foreign minister Børge Brende told parliament on Wednesday morning that Norway would focus on protecting Norwegian and European interests.
 
“One thing is our close security cooperation. Collective security is important. We are totally dependent on the world’s largest economy, USA, remaining an active player in international trade,” Brende said.

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