Several more Norwegian laws now apply also for Russian activities at the archipelago, Governor Per Sefland said in a public meeting today. The governor signaled that Norwegian authorities will tighten their grip over the Russian population at the far northern islands, Norwegian broadcaster NRK reports. -From now on, the control of the Russian activities will be far stricter than before, Mr. Sefland said. About 500 Russians and Ukrainians now live and work in the settlement of Barentsburg. The Norwegian authorities on the islands are based in the nearby town of Longyearbyen. Norway has sovereignty over the Svalbard Archipelago in line with Paris Treaty of 1920. However, also the other signatory countries are entitled to engage in industrial activities in the area, but then only in accordance with Norwegian law.
