Alexander Stubb, famous in the Barents Region for branding the north as the world´s most sexy region, is put on track to take over after Jyrki Katainen.
Kåre Simensen, Member of Norwegian Parliament, dislikes the cold shoulder Western leaders give Russia by not going to Moscow on May 9 and mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory.
The new Russian government appears set to put new emphasis on the development of nuclear power. Sergei Shmatko, head of a company that builds nuclear reactors worldwide, was yesterday approved as the countrys new energy minister.
The European Union has spent 18 months to agree with itself about a mandate for new talks on a renewed partnership agreement with Russia. Head of EU’s delegation to Russia says the negotiations with the Russians will be no easier. He indicates that they might last for more than a year.
Russia has an advantage over the EU by being able to speak with one voice, EU Commission chief negotiator on a new strategic partnership treaty between the Union and Russia says.
Canadian scientists are set to make one of their country’s most important assertions of Arctic sovereignty in decades tomorrow at a geology conference in Norway, Canadian media reports. The scientific findings are in conflict with Russian claims in the area.
Norway and Sweden are joining forces in High North and has granted 650 000 EUR to projects in the region through the Norwegian-Swedish business fund. Good projects from companies in the High North will get priority.
Police in Arkhangelsk yesterday arrested the husband of political opposition leader Larisa Bazanova. The arrest comes just few days before the start of Ms. Bazanova’s second court case against the Arkhangelsk city election commission.
The EU Parliament wants a new treaty for better regulation of activities in the Arctic. – No need for this, says Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
We will be ready to implement a visa-free travel regime with the EU as soon as the union is ready, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says in a newspaper interview.
The Russian State Duma has adopted a law, which will make only party representatives eligible to candidate in municipal elections. Until now, also independent candidates have had the chance to run for local posts.
The Russian Accounts Chamber concludes that the regional administration of former Murmansk governor Yury Yevdokimov inefficiently spent federal funds. It will be up to regional authorities whether to charge Yevdokimov or not, the Accounts Chamber maintains.
