📋 Tender Overview
The war in Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe. The government therefore proposes immediate measures.We strengthen our national defense capability and security. At the same time we enable Norwegian municipalities to receive a large number of Ukrainian refugees. What we present today is a powerful signal to Norwegian municipalities that the community is standing up. This is solidarity in practice. We will enable our municipalities to manage this job. It will require more from kindergartens schools health care volunteering and in many other areas says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre.The invasion of Ukraine has shown that Russia is willing to use military force to achieve its goals.For Norwegian and European security this is a clear turning point. Then it is absolutely necessary that we quickly strengthen our defense capability to meet a changed security policy situation says the Prime Minister.Solid defense and good preparednessThere are no military threats directed at Norway but the security policy situation has changed.The governments most important task now is to ensure security. People must be sure that we have a solid defense and good preparedness. We therefore propose extra appropriations to meet the new situation and the need for enhanced civilian and military preparedness. We now invite the rest of the parties to a broad settlement to secure Norway says Minister of Finance Trygve Slagsvold Vedum. The government proposes that expenditure on defense and civil preparedness be increased by NOK 3.5 billion for 2022. These are measures that can be implemented quickly and have an immediate effect. The defense measures are based on professional military advice from the Chief of Defense.Measures to receive Ukrainian refugeesThe war has so far forced more than four million Ukrainians to flee the country. All European countries are assisting in this crisis including Norway. The government proposes financial measures totaling NOK 10.7 billion.This facilitates that Norway can initially receive 30000 refugees from Ukraine in addition to 5000 refugees from other areas. Account is also taken of the redistribution of 2500 refugees from Ukraine in the surrounding areas as well as the medical evacuation of up to 550 patients and their relatives.The refugees from Ukraine should feel safe and well in Norway while they are here. We hope to give the Ukrainians as normal a daily life as possible. The children will go to kindergarten or school and we will facilitate that adults get to work or other activity as soon as possible says the Prime Minister.The government is looking at the necessary adjustments in the regulations so that it will be possible for the municipalities to receive many refugees in a short time and at the same time provide good enough services.The refugee situation we now face will demand a lot from Norwegian municipalities. Many were on their way back to a normal situation after pandemic management but are suddenly in a new and demanding situation. The government is now proposing a number of measures that will give municipalities and local communities good conditions for handling the tasks we now face says the Minister of Finance.Today new figures came from Norwegian municipalities on how many they can settle. So far the municipalities have agreed to accept more than 23000 refugees. 81 municipalities have not provided their answers yet but several municipalities have announced that they will respond in a short time.The municipalities are now working hard to settle a historically high number of refugees. There is a great willingness to settle and I am impressed with the work that is now being done in municipalities across the country says the Prime Minister.
