A statement from Foreign Minister JONAS GAHR STORE following the attacks in Oslo on 22 July.
At 15.20 Friday afternoon 22 July, a bomb exploded outside the Government’s office in the centre of Oslo. Seven people were killed and several wounded in the blast. A few hours later an attack took place at the Utøya island where the Labour youth movement had its annual summer camp. A man has shot at and killed and injured at least 84 participants. The attacker has now been apprehended and is in police custody. The police suspect that there could be a connection between the two incidents.
Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, said in a speech on Saturday 23 July: “Today Norway woke up in deep mourning after the terrible attacks that happened on Friday.
This was an attack on our democracy. Our thoughts go out to those affected by this disaster.
I spent most of Thursday at Utøya where I enjoyed the spirit of this island and the summer camp of the Labour youth movement. This summer camp is about political debate and political training. But it is also fun, sport, youth and summer. It went on like that until Friday, when terror struck.
In addition to the police investigation, it is the focus of the Norwegian government to take care of those who have lost their loved ones and those who experienced the horrible events.
I would like to express my deep appreciation to the many individuals and governments around the world who have sent messages of condolences and sympathy to Norway and its people. Many of my fellow Foreign Ministers have been on the phone. We take great care to communicate this wave of sympathy to the relatives as an expression of international solidarity.
The world is uniting around those who mourn.
The Norway that you meet tomorrow will be recognizable. We will stand up for the values that made the island Utøya possible. The Labour youth movement has expressed very clearly that "we will take Utøya back". The youth of Norway will take Utøya back and we will help them in doing so.
The nature of the Norwegian democracy will not change. Norway will continue to stand for engagement in the world where we commit our resources and our convictions.”
Thank you...a grateful country and its people appreciate the world for standing by them in their hour of grief
Following the attacks in Oslo, the Norwegian Embassy yesterday thanked the peoples of the world for all the heartfelt condolences they had received over the past two days and for all the flowers that have been left outside the Embassy in Belgrave Square, London... “Your thoughts and well wishes at this difficult time are very much appreciated. Many thanks.”