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Norway restricts sale of personal property in Svalbard

Norway stated on Monday it had actually demanded the owner of a personal property on the Arctic Svalbard islands obtain the government's consent before selling the home, over issues nationwide security interests might be jeopardised through a sale.

The business AS Kulspids, which owns Soere Fagerfjord in Svalbard, need to get permission from the ministry of trade, market and fisheries before working out a sale of the home, the Norwegian federal government stated in a statement.

The Nordic nation in late May stated it planned to increase its control of Svalbard, as security concerns and environment modification effect the Arctic island chain.

The Nordic country has long been worried that stress in between western countries on the one hand, and with Russia or China on the other, could spill over to the large outpost because of the archipelago's tactical position and of growing interest in the Arctic's valuable oil, gas and shipping paths.

The present owners have for a long time expressed that they will sell the home or the company to actors from states with which Norway does not have security policy co-operation, the Norwegian government said in a declaration.

There is factor to think that ... such a star may want to use the residential or commercial property to challenge Norwegian legislation and defense policies in Svalbard in such a way that might interfere with stability in the location and harm national security, it included.

Located around 700 km (435 miles) north of the European mainland, Svalbard is governed under a 1920 treaty offering Norway sovereignty but allowing residents of signatory states to settle there without a Norwegian visa.

Soere Fagerfjord lies in a national forest that was secured in 1973, and which goes through stringent limitations, according to the Norwegian federal government.

(source: Reuters)