The tipping point ERNA SOLBERG, Norway’s prime minister, piqued the interest of the press worldwide last week. The momentous event happened when she suggested that her government might cede some territory as a birthday gift to Finland, which next year marks a century since it declared independence from Russia.
The land in question is some 15,000 square metres of Halditsohkka, a minor peak of the Halti mountain. Though Halti is not particularly high—it is more than 500 metres shorter than Norway’s 200th-highest peak—its lower spur would instantly become the highest point in Finland. When the border was agreed by treaty in 1751, a straight line was cut along the side of the range, depriving the Finns of the crest. The transfer would be a high point in Nordic relations.
The idea started as a suggestion from a retired Norwegian government surveyor, who called the border “illogical”. Many Finns thought he had a point. A Facebook group was set up and things snowballed from there, reaching the zenith of Norway’s government. Asked about it by the country’s public broadcaster, Ms Solberg said her government…
