International Correspondents Committee experiences a night at Norwegian Embassy

Oystein Bogen

May 10, 2023

The Norwegian Embassy was the latest to host a group of National Press Club journalists as part of the “Embassy Nights” series organized by the Club’s International Correspondents Committee.

The May 2 reception was held at Norwegian Ambassador Anniken Krutnes’ residence across from the Naval Observatory on Massachusetts Avenue in Northwest D.C. Norway in 1931 acquired the historic building, part of which functions as its embassy.

Norwegian Embassy hosted Club's International Correspondents Committee May 2.

Krutnes, who previously held postings in several European countries, gave the Club members a wide-ranging review of a country of just 5.4 million people that often punches above its weight in international relations.

On May 11, Norway will replace Russia as chair of the Arctic Council, which Krutnes described as a forum for addressing some of the most pressing cross-border challenges Norway faces in the polar region. As a founding member of NATO, Norway’s present-day relations with the United States are particularly focused on cooperation in national security, but Krutnes also called attention to the Norwegian Sovereign Wealth Fund's heavy investments in the United States.

The fund, which harvests the revenues from Norway’s vast petroleum sales to Europe, holds a whopping $1.4 trillion, and is today among the top 10 shareholders in most major U.S. companies like Tesla and Apple.

The United States is home to more than 4.5 million Americans with Norwegian ancestry, according to the 2021 U.S. census. A massive wave of Scandinavian immigration during the 18th century has contributed to nearly 120 years of strong diplomatic ties between Norway and the United States.

During her remarks, Krutnes also told the story of how Norwegian Crown Princess Martha forged a close personal relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt when she resided in Washington with her children during the Nazi occupation of Norway.

According to Krutnes, the crown princess visited FDR in the White House nearly 250 times while her husband, Crown Prince Olav, was in London helping run the Norwegian government in exile. As depicted in the TV series "Atlantic Crossing," Martha successfully lobbied the American president into giving Norway ships and weapons for fighting the Germans.

After the ambassador’s remarks, ICC Chair Elizabeth Hagedorn thanked the embassy for hosting the event and per tradition presented Krutnes with an NPC coffee mug. Attendees then enjoyed drinks and appetizers, and the chance to mingle with the embassy’s senior diplomats.