The Nobel Foundation changes its position, invites Russia and Belarus again

2023-09-01 17:30:21, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Nobel Foundation, which administers the prestigious prizes, has changed its invitation policy and invited Russia, Belarus and Iran, as well as the leader of a far-right party in Sweden, who was previously banned from attending.

Vidar Helgesen, the private foundation's executive director, said in a statement that there is a global trend in which "dialogue between those with different views is shrinking."

To combat this trend, he said, "we are extending the invitations in service of the meaning of the Nobel Prize and the importance of free science, free culture, and free and peaceful societies."

The foundation said the invitation to the 2023 events was sent to all countries with diplomatic missions in Sweden and Norway and parties "that have representatives in parliament through democratic elections", adding that "this joint approach strengthens the possibilities to convey to all the important messages of the Nobel Prize, and that in the future this practice will be common for the whole organization."

Last year, diplomatic envoys from Russia and Belarus were barred from attending the glittering awards ceremonies and lunches, which always take place on December 10, because of the war in Ukraine. Even Iran's ambassador was not allowed to attend due to the "serious and escalating situation" in the country.

All Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm, except for the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo.

The foundation also sent an invitation to the leader of the Swedish Democratic Party, Jimmie Akesson, who declined it, writing on Facebook that "unfortunately I'm busy that day".

Traditionally, Swedish political party leaders are invited to the banquet, but Mr Akesson, who heads a far-right nationalist party, has been left out in the past. The Sweden Democrats, seen by some as a threat to the basic values ??of the Scandinavian country's society, including tolerance of asylum seekers from conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa, came second in the 2022 parliamentary election.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Friday that if it were up to him, he would not have allowed Russia to attend the ceremony.

"It is necessary to isolate Russia in every possible way, militarily, economically," he told Swedish news agency TT. "In that case, I wouldn't have invited him."

The winners of this year's Nobel Prize will be announced at the beginning of October./ VOA