Finland’s highest point could soon be a little bit higher if a proposal for Norway to give a subsidiary mountain peak to its neighbour is approved by the Prime Minister, Erna Solberg.
The Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports on Wednesday that the proposal from Kåfjord municipality is under consideration by the government. It would move the border slightly to ensure that a spur of Halti fell is in Finland, making that the highest point in the country.
The spur, Haldičohkka, is located 1,331 metres above sea level on a spur of the Halti mountain. The highest point in Finland is a little way down the mountainside at the border, which is located 1,324 metres above sea level. Shifting the border 40 metres would ensure Finland can lay claim to the top of the mountain spur.
"The peak would be a wonderful gift to our sister nation," said Svein Leiros of Kåfjord municipality in the spring.
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg confirmed to Norway’s TV2 station that the government has received an official request to offer the peak of Halti to Finland.
"There are some formal challenges and I haven’t yet decided my own view on the matter," said Solberg. "But we are considering it."
_This story has been edited to clarify that the peak in question, Haldičohkka, is a spur of the main Halti fell, not the peak itself. _
