Reply to a written question from Member of the Storting Børge Brende regarding the High North Policy

Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre

Translated from the Norwegian

Written question No. 856 (2006-2007) from Member of the Storting Børge Brende

Question
The Government’s High North Policy, which calls for action rather than good intentions states that the Government “will consider a proposal for an economic and industrial cooperation zone, which would include both Norwegian and Russian territory in the High North”. What is the status of this proposal, and when and how will the Storting be informed about progress and results?

Reply by the Minister of Foreign Affairs
In my foreign policy address to the Storting on 13 February this year, I highlighted the importance of continuing our policy of engagement and cooperation with Russia in the High North. I emphasised that Norway wants a dialogue with Russia on closer cooperation on both sides of the border, not least with a view to realising the opportunities that future petroleum operations in the Barents Sea could provide for land-based activities, and that during the course of the spring we will present ideas for further developing cross-border cooperation.

This has been a guideline for the Government’s work over the last few months. We have sought to pave the way for a discussion with Russia about the possibility of establishing an economic and industrial cooperation zone that includes both Norwegian and Russian territory in the High North.

I would also like to refer to the Government’s High North Policy, which was presented on 1 December 2006 and discussed these matters, and to lectures that I have held at institutions in the High North, including at the opening of the High North Centre for Business at Bodø University College on 15 March this year.

Shortly before Easter, Norway formally invited Russia to discuss the opportunities offered by a Norwegian-Russian economic and industrial cooperation zone on our common border. It will of course take time to realise this vision. The aim has been to establish a sound basis for involving Russia in discussions. We are taking a step-by-step approach that is based, among other things, on our experience of business cooperation in the Barents Region and at the border between the EU and Russia, and of the ongoing effort to ease border crossing in the High North. In working to realise our vision, we can also utilise the experience that Innovation Norway and SIVA have gained in Russia, and can take a closer look at border region cooperation programmes like the European Twin City Network and the Euro-Russia Private-Public Development Programme.

I realise that both Norway and Russia will need to examine more closely the various specific, practical aspects of the proposal to establish such a cooperation zone. Initially, however, the aim is to clarify whether there is a political basis for taking this proposal further.

Once this has been clarified and there is agreement in principle to go further, we envisage that the effort to establish the zone will be continued through a bilateral working group at senior official level. The group should be chaired by the foreign affairs authorities from the two countries and include affected ministries. It should also include representatives from local and regional authorities when dealing with issues on which it is natural to involve these parties.

I expect to have an opportunity to discuss the question of the cooperation zone with Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov during his visit to Oslo in connection with the informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers later this month. I plan to give a more detailed briefing on the effort to establish a cooperation zone to the bodies of the Storting before then. Once the substantive discussions start, I will give priority to keeping the Storting informed about work on the cooperation zone in accordance with established practice.