- We would like to see a stronger focus – both to understand the Russian society better and because scientific research contributes to open channels and create dialogue, says Director at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute Peter Johan Schei to web site Forskning.no.
Norway and Russia have many common challenges in the High North, Schei says – fisheries, ecology, oil and gas. There are still unresolved questions connected with the Grey Zone in the Barents Sea, the fishery protection zone around Svalbard and other issues, he adds.
- We have too little means, the director says. Norway should spend a lot more [on the cooperation], since Russia is an extremely important neighbor and partner.
