Germany–Norway relations

Germany–Norway relations are foreign relations between Germany and Norway.

German-Norwegian relations

Germany
Norway
The German embassy in Oslo, Norway
Embassies of the Nordic countries in Berlin, Germany

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1905, after Norway's independence. During World War II, Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany, lasting from 1940 until 1945. Germany has an embassy in Oslo, and Norway has an embassy in Berlin and two consulates, in Düsseldorf and Hamburg.

Both countries are full members of NATO, and of the Council of Europe. As of 2009, there were around 6,251 Norwegians living in Germany and around 20,916 Germans living in Norway.[1]

To promote the German-Norwegian relations in 1982, the German-Norwegian society and 1988, the German-Norwegian Friendship Society were founded.

History

Both what is now Germany and Norway were settled by Proto-Germanic peoples. The Ahrensburg culture, named after the town of Ahrensburg in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, originated mostly in the North German Plain and were the first known peoples to settle modern-day Norway. By the 2nd century AD, Proto-Norse devolved from Proto-Germanic in Scandinavia. This separated the West Germanic peoples (of whom Germans are associated) and the North Germanic (of whom the Norwegians are associated).

A large collection of North German towns formed the Hanseatic League. A kontor was established in Bergen, which since became a major hub of trade with the Germans. The League issued a lot of loans to the Norwegian royalty; this is the long term indebted them, and Norway's economy and trade became subordinate to the League.

Following the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905, the German Empire established relations with the Kingdom of Norway.

During World War II, Nazi Germany led an invasion of Denmark and Norway in Operation Weserübung. The German occupation of Norway lasted until May 1945. Norway, West Germany, and East Germany became members of the United Nations. West Germany and Norway also became members of NATO.

Notable German-Norwegians

German community of Norway

See German Norwegians, Reichskommissariat Norwegen and German occupation of Norway.

The German School of Oslo serves Germans living in Oslo.

Related groups: Austrian Norwegians.

Further reading

Embassies

The Embassy of Germany is located in Oslo, Norway. The Embassy of Norway is located in Berlin, Germany.

See also

References
  1. Statistics Norway
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