Christiania Convention of 1907

an agreement on the territorial inviolability of Norway signed on Oct. 20 (Nov. 2), 1907, in the city of Christiania (now Oslo) by the foreign minister of Norway and by envoys of Russia, Germany, Great Britain, and France. The agreement was signed for a ten-year term, with a subsequent automatic extension for another ten years; it was actually in force until 1928.

The Christiania Convention affirmed the integrity of Norway’s territory, as defined by the Treaty of Karlstad of 1905, which had been signed after the formation of an independent Norwegian state in the same year. The convention obligated the great powers to acknowledge and maintain the inviolability of Norway; Norway in turn was not to give its territory to any power, either permanently or temporarily. In case of violation or threat of violation of the territorial integrity of Norway, the great powers were required to render Norway support in accordance with the terms of a preliminary agreement. The Christiania Convention was to remain in force even if one of the great powers abrogated it.