MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) – Norway is tightening economic sanctions against Russia, which brings its restrictive measures in line with the latest round of EU sanctions, the Norwegian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Friday.
"The Government decided today to tighten its restrictive measures against Russia. This brings Norwegian legislation in line with the measures introduced by the EU on 12 September. Amendments to the regulations were adopted by the King in Council today and come into effect immediately," the statement said.
Norway is introducing a new round of sanctions against Russia, because Moscow "has not demonstrated any willingness to change its course in Ukraine", the statement quoted Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende as saying.
The latest round of EU and US sanctions was introduced against Russia in the second half of September, targeting Russia's banking, energy and defense sectors.
Norway is not part of the European Union, but has been imposing sanctions against Russia along with EU member-states, the United States, and their allies, over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.
Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the conflict in Ukraine and has stressed that the sanctions regime is counterproductive and hurts the countries that are using it.
Russia has also introduced a one-year ban on a number of food imports from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway, in response to the sanctions they have imposed.
