Editing Foreign relations of Norway (section)

===International mediation and nation building===

Norway has played an active role as a third party mediator in a number of international conflicts.  The late foreign minister [[Johan Jørgen Holst]] was instrumental in forging the [[Oslo Accords]] between [[Israel]] and the [[PLO]].  [[Thorvald Stoltenberg]] was part of the unsuccessful mediation team in seeking an end to the war in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]].  Norway has contributed both mediation services and financial assistance in [[Guatemala]].

As of 2005, Norwegian diplomats are acting as mediators in [[Sudan]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]], [[Sri Lanka]], and [[Colombia]]. Some of those countries accuse Norway of supporting and propping up separatist groups.  [[Israel]] is often bitter with harsh criticisms from Norwegian politicians. The spat was at its highest when finance minister [[Kristin Halvorsen]] supported [[Boycotts of Israel|boycott of Israeli goods]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1196096.ece |title= USA threats after boycott support |work= Aftenposten |date= December 12, 2006 |access-date= 2008-01-14 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080103202837/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1196096.ece |archive-date= January 3, 2008 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> in early 2006. Finance ministry spokesman, Runar Malkenes, told [[BBC News]] that "there are no moves to push for a boycott of Israeli goods" at government level.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4584738.stm |work= BBC News |title= Norway split over Israel boycott |date= January 5, 2006 |access-date= 2008-01-14}}</ref> [[Eritrea]] has been actively supported by [[Norway]] during its liberation from [[Ethiopia]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.norway.gov.er/Development/Development.htm |title= Norwegian Assistance to Eritrea |work= Norway – the official site in Eritrea |date= January 28, 2005 |access-date= 2008-01-14 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080316211833/http://www.norway.gov.er/Development/Development.htm |archive-date= March 16, 2008 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> As of recent, Ethiopia expelled six Norwegian diplomats due to Norway's alleged support to 'Terrorist group and Eritrea'.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1990861.ece |title= Ethiopia: Norway supports 'terrorists' in Africa |work= Aftenposten |date= September 12, 2007 |access-date= 2008-01-14 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080112151631/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article1990861.ece |archive-date= January 12, 2008 |df= mdy-all }}</ref> Norway retaliated by cutting aid to [[Ethiopia]].

After the Al-Qaeda [[September 11 attacks|attack on the United States on September 11, 2001]], NATO launched a military invasion to overthrow [[Al-Qaeda]] and its [[Taliban]] sponsors. Norway was one of 51 donors providing aid and assistance to rebuild the war-torn country. Norway had charge of [[Faryab Province]]. The Norwegian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team had the mission of effecting security, good governance and economic development, 2005–2012. But the results were dubious and frustration continued until the U.S. and all other countries finally decided to withdraw by 2021.
<ref>Mats Berdal, and Astri Suhrke, "A Good Ally: Norway and International Statebuilding in Afghanistan, 2001-2014." ''Journal of Strategic Studies'' 41.1-2 (2018): 61-88. [https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/files/79854586/_A_Good_Ally_Norway_BERDAL_Accepted6October2017_GREEN_AAM.pdf online]</ref>