Russia puts Norway on list of 'unfriendly' countries

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Moscow on Thursday put Norway on the list of "unfriendly" countries, saying it is because of actions against Russian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

"The decree provides for a restriction, up to a complete ban for unfriendly countries, to hire employees from among persons located on the territory of Russia in embassies, consulates, representative offices of state bodies and state institutions," the government said in a statement.

The approved list, in addition to the names of "unfriendly" countries, specifies how many employees from Russia could be hired by such states. For Norway, Moscow has reserved a quota of 27 people.

Last March, Russia issued a decree with a list of countries "unfriendly toward Russia, Russian companies, and citizens."

The list includes countries that have been imposing sanctions against Russia for more than 10 years.

The decree gives the government the right to introduce special measures in response to "unfriendly actions."