Fearing for the Norwegian seafood industry after a trip to Iran

According to Fisheries Minister Per Sandberg, an unannounced holiday trip to Iran, several opposition politicians have asked the minister to explain. The answers they received when Sandberg returned to Norway on Monday, did not leave the criticism.

Monday Monday, Monday the 18th, Sandberg hides Iran as a vacation country, marking criticism of "theories of conspiracy and theories of corruption". He also insists that the trip to Iran was a private party and that he was not in Iran as the Minister of Fisheries.

– Per Sandberg has a misperceived impression of the role of the government, namely that it is a role to be able to get in and out. The State Council is open 24 hours a day all year round, "says Geir Pollestad (Sp), chairman of the Norwegian Storting Food and Nutrition Committee, in Dagbladet. . He continues:

– It was very special to hear how much Sandberg understood the reality. He was very absorbed, and I was surprised that he did not understand the criticism of the choice of the destination

Fry for the seafood industry

Pollestad worried that Sandberg's choice of destination may have an impact on the Norwegian seafood industry.] – There is no doubt that the relationship between the United States and Iran is very tense. It is also a fact that the United States is one of the most important markets for the Norwegian seafood industry. It can not be assumed that a Norwegian ministerial tribute to Iran is not noticed in the United States, says Pollestad.

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the fourth largest market for Norwegian seafood in 2017, with a total import of NOK 5.7 billion.

After the signing of the agreement on Iran in 2015, economic sanctions against the country were also eased. Since Sandberg, Minister of Fisheries, has worked to promote Norwegian fish in Iran, especially during a trip with a trade delegation in 2016. But when Trump withdrew the United States from the Iranian agreement, the Trade prospects with Iran have become much more uncertain.

Pollestad thinks it's natural to see the recent trip in connection with Sandberg's previous commitment to trade with Iran, although Sandberg describes it as a sheer holiday.

– He does not seem to have said Pollestad

did not know where the minister was

Sandberg explained that the trip to Iran took place shortly thereafter. that other vacation plans have fallen into the fish. At the same time, the Prime Minister's Office and Office believed that the minister was in Turkey.

It was only when the Iranian authorities contacted the embassy of Norway in Iran for an official meeting The Norwegian authorities have been informed of the minister's position

The government's political leadership policy states that "it is important that the Prime Minister's Office know in all when are the members of the government.

– I informed the ministry the day after my arrival in Iran, and the Prime Minister's office the next day, Sandberg informs NTB on Tuesday.

Sandberg also states that it is he who has been conducting security assessments based on previous visits. to Iran

– Sandberg must follow the rules of the game

Before the weekend, the other vice presidents of the nutrition committee, Terje Aasland (Ap), asked Sandberg to also report This is related to Bahareh Letnes, with whom he traveled. Letnes owns a sole proprietorship whose purpose is to export fish and seafood.

Aasland is however not satisfied with the explanation given by Sandberg on Monday.

– When he slows down the whole situation, speaking of the democratization of Iran as an individual, I am surprised. I wonder why it is so difficult to give concrete information about this, "said Mr Aasland to Dagbladet

He asks Sandberg to clarify whether there have been contacts in Norway. "There is no difference between the private minister and the Minister of Fisheries. He must follow the rules of the game that apply and relate to his role. Particularly compared to other countries and regimes, it must be arranged, says Aasland, and continues:

– We must know that the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister's Office have been in agreement with this travel

Dagbladet The Prime Minister's office needs to clarify whether the rules allowing the government to report where they are are broken and whether government ministers can travel during private vacations regardless of their official role. The preliminary answer is that Erna Solberg is on vacation and that there will be a statement afterwards.