MOSCOW, March 23 (RIA Novosti) - Russia-NATO
relations, bilateral ties and the future of the Arctic will be
discussed at a meeting between the Russian and Norwegian
foreign ministers this week, a foreign ministry spokesman said
on Monday.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere is due to pay
a visit to Moscow on March 24-25 during which he will meet with
his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. The sides are also
expected to discuss the European security pact, which was put
forward by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in June 2008,
Andrei Nesterenko said.
Russian-Norwegian bilateral relations and prospects for
further economic and political cooperation, as well as energy,
fishery and environmental issues will also be on the agenda at
the talks.
The discussion will focus on the controversial Arctic
Ocean archipelago of Spitsbergen, which belongs to Norway,
although Russia does not recognize Norway's exclusive right to
the 200-mile economic zone.
"Special attention will be paid to incidents of Russian
ships being seized by Norwegian Coast Guards for insignificant
violations," Nesterenko said, adding "Russia is interested in
raising the effectiveness and diversification of its presence
in Spitsbergen and would like constructive cooperation with
Norway."
The discussion on the Arctic is planned to continue on
April 28-29 during a session of the Arctic Council in Tromso.
The polar region has lately become the subject of increased
scrutiny by Arctic Circle countries because of potential
competition for its natural resources.
And on May 5-6 the Russian-Norwegian intergovernmental
commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical
cooperation will meet to discuss a wide range of economic and
trade issues.
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