“Cooperation between Russia and Norway within environmental protection and energy has been developing with success over many years and has proved its efficiency”, Director of Department of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Environment Nuritdin Inamov said after a meeting in Moscow with Norway’s Ambassador to Russia Leidulv Namtvedt.
The two sides discussed issues like the need for continued dialogue about the ecological situation around Kola GMK’s factories close to the Norwegian border, preservation of Atlantic salmon during its migration along the coast of Norway to rivers on the Kola Peninsula, as well as an upcoming agreement on establishment of the border-crossing natural reserve Pasvik-Inari, the Ministry’s web site reads. Russia is ready to sign a MoU with Norway on climate and environment and cooperation on surveillance of the polar bear population in the Barents Sea.
Inamov and Namtvedt also discussed future energy cooperation between the two countries, focusing on possible border-crossing resources on the Barents Sea shelf. They agreed that it is necessary to prepare a document to regulate both Norwegian and Russian companies’ activities in the area, first of all when it comes to crossing the border line during seismic operations. Russia is planning to invite the business community to a seminar in Moscow in July-August to discuss the issue further.
The meeting was held last Friday, five weeks after Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment Tine Sundtoft canceled a planned trip to Russia next week as a reaction to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The cancellation caused concern among environmentalists in both countries.
