The Norwegian authorities have announced that the country has decided to join the list of countries that have already banned the entry of cars with Russian licence plates.
Announcing the news, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, Anniken Huitfeldt, said that the ban for Russian-registered passenger cars will start applying from October 3.
The same stressed that Norway will continue to support Ukraine and noted that the measures against Russia are aimed at stripping Russia of income used to finance its invasion of Ukraine.
Norway stands together with allies and like-minded people in the reactions to the brutal war of aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine. It is important that the sanctions are effective so that we prevent as much as possible income that the Russian state needs to finance the war.
Similar to the other countries that have introduced a ban on Russian-registered cars, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that its decision follows the clarifications made by the Commission of the EU on the existing prohibitions.
While the entry ban on Russian-registered cars will become effective, the Ministry emphasised that certain exemptions will apply.
According to the Ministry, vehicles that are owned by Norwegian citizens or EEA citizens with permanent residence in Russia or their family members are not subject to the ban.
Moreover, exempted from the ban are Russian-registered vehicles entering Norway for humanitarian reasons, as well as diplomatic vehicles.
The specification is aimed at the means of transport being used, and not the persons using the means of transport. Even if a vehicle is covered by one of the exceptions, this does not mean that the people in the car are automatically allowed to enter Norway.
While the entry ban of Norway is yet to become effective, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland have already implemented the ban on passenger vehicles with Russian licence plates.
Finland was among the first neighbouring countries of Russia to introduce the entry ban. Announcing the country’s decision, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier in September that the ban had been taken in line with the Commission’s clarifications.
Moreover, the authority explained that certain exemptions apply, meaning that not everyone having a Russian-registered car is prohibited from entering the territory of Finland.
Just like Sweden, Estonia also said that its decision was taken in accordance with the clarifications of the Commission.
Announcing the ban that became effective on September 13, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, said that citizens of Russia are not welcome to the country.
On the other hand, Russia complained of the bans, saying that these countries are discriminating against its citizens.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said that the EU wants to drop an “iron curtain” and keep contact between people to a minimum.
