OREANDA-NEWS. March 25, 2009. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, held talks on March 24 with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway Jonas Gahr Store on a working visit to Russia.

The onward development of Russian-Norwegian relations was noted, along with their focus on the implementation of joint projects. A schedule of nearest political contacts was discussed. There was stated on both sides the disposition to develop further the intensive political dialogue, to reinforce the juridical base of cooperation, to expand economic and trade ties and to deepen interaction in energy, fisheries and ecology.

Satisfaction was expressed at the high growth rates of mutual trade, which in 2008 rose 45%, to reach US\\$2.3 billion. The strategic significance of cooperation between Russia’s Gazprom and Norway’s StatoilHydro in the development of the Shtokman Gas Condensate Field in the Barents Sea was stressed.

The Russian side affirmed the long-term nature of the Russian economic and scientific presence on the Norwegian archipelago of Spitsbergen and interest in solving the related practical matters in constructive collaboration with the Norwegian side. The attention of the Norwegian side was drawn to the importance of strict compliance with the provisions of the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920 envisaging free access for engagement by all legal entities and natural persons of all countries parties to this Treaty in navigation, industrial, mining and other commercial activities on the archipelago on terms of full equality.

The importance was noted of joint work on the unification of fishing methods for the entire Barents Sea area, which should reduce to a minimum the instances of detention of Russian and Norwegian ships engaged in fishing in the exclusive economic zone of Russia or Norway. In this connection the Russian side spoke for working out relevant proposals even toward the upcoming ordinary session this autumn of the Joint Russian-Norwegian Fisheries Commission.

Questions of interaction between the two countries in the Arctic were discussed, reaffirming the commitment of Russia and Norway to the accords of the Arctic Ocean Conference held in May 2008 in Ilulissat, and their keenness on strengthening cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Arctic Council.

During the talks, topical international security issues were examined. An exchange of views took place on the prospects for Middle East settlement, on developments in Afghanistan and on other themes.