"It is a great honor for me to receive this request to assist my country during an important period. After carefully considering the challenges we face, I have decided to accept the offer from Prime Minister [Norway's Jonas Gahr] Støre to serve as Minister of Finance," said Stoltenberg.
Nevertheless, he stated that he does not intend to step away from his role as head of the MSC, which he had previously agreed to. He promised to return to that position and "other commitments" after completing his duties in the ministry. In the meantime, he will continue to participate in the organization's work "as much as the government office allows."
It is reported that the MSC will be temporarily led by two current deputy heads of the organization – Benedikt Franke and Rainer Rudolf.