MOSCOW, November 2. /TASS/. Russia perceives Norway's military preparations near its borders as a course on escalation of tensions in the region, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on Wednesday.

"Foreign military bases actually appeared in Norway on a permanent basis. The corresponding infrastructure has been modernized, modern equipment is being purchased, and Oslo is now among the most active supporters of NATO's involvement in the Arctic," she said, "We consider such developments near Russian borders as Oslo's deliberate pursuit of a destructive course toward escalation of tensions in the Euro-Arctic region and the final destruction of Russian-Norwegian relations."

Zakharova added that this was not Moscow's choice. "Russia is always open to honest and mutually respectful dialogue, but any unfriendly actions will be followed by a timely and adequate response," the diplomat said.