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For more than 100 years, citizens of Norway and travelers to and from the Scandinavian kingdom have sought the services of the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in Minneapolis. 

But, this week the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed converting the local office to 'honorary' status to help accommodate the openings of new consulates in China and Spain.

MPR's Tom Crann talked to Rolf Willy Hansen, Consul General for Norway to the Upper Midwest,  and Bruce Gjovig, chairman of the Nordic Initiative at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.

Norwegian consulate in Minneapolis might be downgraded

The Norwegian government said this week is may close down the Norwegian Consulate in Minneapolis, and many people in the area are upset about the plan. MPR's Tom Crann gets both sides of the debate.

Rolf Willy Hansen, Consul General for Norway to the Upper Midwest and Bruce Gjovig, Chair of the Nordic Initiative at the University of North Dakota.

Rolf Willy Hansen

Rolf Willy Hansen, Consul General for Norway to the Upper Midwest

Norwegian Consul General talks about downgrading local consulate

Bruce Gjovig, Chair of the Nordic Initiative at the University of North Dakota

Two sides of the debate over Norwegian consulate

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