Both ministers are present in Ilulissat, Greenland, on the Arctic Ocean Conference, where all nations with a border to the arctic areas are present. On their flight to Greenland, Støre and Lavrov had informal discussions where the disputed area in the Barents Sea was one of the topics. Støre confirms to Norwegian news site, ABC Nyheter that the disputed area will be one of the topics when the foreign ministers meet again in Kirkenes and Murmansk on June 9th and 10th.
For more than 30 years Norway and Russia have discussed the delineation in an area of the Barents Sea which covers more than 175 000 square kilometres. Støre hopes that the meetings in Kirkenes and Murmansk can give them a better picture of the neighbouring countris arguments. But Støre is reluctant to say anything about whether the 30 year long dispute is about to come to an end or not. Every day we go one step further towards an agreement, is all Støre can say.
According to Norwegian Newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, Lavrov said to Støre on the trip to Greenland that it is now time to take action in this age long dispute. That is why Støre expects good progress during the Kirkenes and Murmansk meetings.
