The Russian - Norwegian dialogue

During the visit to Moscow the Minister of petroleum and energy of Norway, Einar Steensnes, the questions connected to energy policy, development of petroleum and gas markets of the countries were discussed. Russia shows big interest to experience of Norway, including the field of taxation of oil-and-gas complex. This question was discussed at the meeting of Einar Steensen with the First Deputy minister of economic development and trade of the Russian Federation, Ivan Materov.

The head of the Ministry of nature of Russia, Vitaly Artyuhov, also yesterday has met in Moscow with the Minister of petroleum and energy of Norway, Einar Steensnes. At the meeting questions of dialogue in oil-and-gas branch, reflected in the joint statement of the President of Russia and the Prime minister of the Norway Kingdom, which was discussed during Vladimir Putin's visit to Norway in November 2002.

The head of the Ministry of nature of Russia, Vitaly Artyuhov, and the Minister of petroleum and energy of Norway Einar Steensnes have discussed questions of differentiation of sea space of the Barents Sea. In particular, participants of the meeting have designated a strategic problem of the Russian - Norwegian cooperation in the field of studying and development of petroleum and gas of Barents oil-and-gas province. It was underlined, that delegations of Russia and Norway fruitfully cooperate on all forums of the United Nations on the problems of Convention of the United Nations on marine law of 1982 and, first of all, under the application of the Russian Federation in the Commission of the United Nations on definition of external border of Russia in the Arctic Ocean. The parties have expressed interest in acceleration of negotiating process on differentiation of sea spaces in Barents Sea, including establishment of external border of continental shelf of Russia.

During the conversation the parties have noted, that now Russia and Norway are close to achievement of the basic consent on differentiation of sea space of the Barents Sea from North Pole up to the southern site of so-called "gray zone" (the southern coordinated point).

The Russian side has offered to fix the arrangement in the official report of our delegation with the subsequent representation of the document in the commission of the United Nations on external borders of the shelf.

Minister of natural resources of Russia has noted, that special attention the Ministry gives to the control of ecological safety and preservation of biological environment in the area of Barents Sea, especially at the stage of full-scale development of petroleum and gas, and has expressed readiness for constructive cooperation with the Norwegian party.

Let's remind, that in August of the last year the Ministry for Protection of Environment and Natural Resources of Russia and the Ministry of energy of Norway have signed "the Program of cooperation within the framework of the Russian - Norwegian dialogue on questions of natural resources and ecology". Signing was dated to taking place in these days in Norway 15-th international exhibition and conference "Petroleum and gas of northern seas". The program includes five basic directions providing interaction in the following questions: efficient control over resources; protection of natural environment; high technologies; perfection of legal base in the field of wildlife management and protection of natural environment; training of the personnel.


Author: Nana Bendukidze