Declaration
made by
the Prime Minister of the Kingdom Of Norway
and
the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation
The Governments of the Kingdom of Norway and the Russian Federation,
Basing this on centuries-old traditions of peace, friendship and good neighbourly relations, and cultural and geographical proximity,
Welcoming the substantial progress that has been made in developing bilateral relations in recent years,
Viewing further strengthening of these ties as an important element of the growing cooperation between equal and sovereign states in a Europe free of discrimination and dividing lines,
Attaching particular importance to participation in multilateral cooperation in Europe’s northern areas and in the Arctic within the framework of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Arctic Council and the Northern Dimension of the European Union, and emphasizing their mutual willingness to promote the development of this cooperation system to become a solid building block in the European architecture,
Basing themselves on the obligations of the UN Charter, the principles and norms set out in the Istanbul Charter on European Security of 1999 and other documents from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the statutes of the Council of Europe, the NATO-Russia Founding Act of 1997, and the contents of the Declaration on the Basis for Relations between the Kingdom of Norway and the Russian Federation that was signed in Oslo on 26 March 1996,
Hereby declare:
1. Norway and Russia – Neighbours in the North. Political Contacts
There is close political contact between Norway and Russia. The regular exchange of visits between the leadership of the two countries is witness to this. The visit to Norway of the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Boris Yeltsin, in 1996 and the visit to Russia of Their Majesties King Harald and Queen Sonja in 1998 provided important impetus for the further development of these ties. His Majesty King Harald V has invited the President of the Russian Federation, Mr. Vladimir Putin, to visit Norway and the President has gratefully accepted.
The parties welcome the recent contacts and exchange of visits at high governmental level, and wish to further strengthen this contact. The parties also welcome the expansion of the contact between the Norwegian Storting and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The parties note with satisfaction that in addition to the contacts between the two countries at central government level, the authorities in the two countries are continuing to expand their cooperation at regional and local level, for example within the framework of the Barents Council and the Council of the Baltic Sea States. The parties attach great importance to the strengthening and further development of regional and local cooperation arrangements. These make an important contribution to increased trust and mutual understanding.
The parties emphasize the great importance of the close traditional cooperation between Norway and Russia on Svalbard in accordance with the Treaty of 1920 relating to Spitsbergen.
The parties consider the Northern Dimension of the European Union to be an important tool in the process of European integration, which can help to strengthen the foundation for security and stability and practical cooperation by creating a focus on solutions to the problems associated with sustainable economic and social development, environmental protection, the fight against organized crime, the combating of communicable diseases, and other matters that require broad regional cooperation.
Norway and Russia are seeking active and constructive cooperation within the framework of international organizations, where they see a real possibility of further strengthening their cooperation.
2. Industrial Cooperation
Industrial development, not least in the neighbouring areas on both sides of our common border, is of great importance for the promotion of prosperity and stability in our countries. Both parties will take the necessary measures to promote appropriate projects and initiatives, including measures for state support. We note with satisfaction that trade between Norway and Russia is now showing a positive trend. Norway welcomes the programme for the social and economic development of the Russian Federation until 2010 that has been adopted by the Russian Government, and expects that it will stimulate increased investment in Russia by Norwegian companies.
We emphasize the importance of cooperation within the framework of the Norwegian-Russian Government Commission on Economic and Industrial Cooperation and Cooperation in the Field of Science and Technology. It is important to maintain a regular dialogue, especially with a view to identifying new target areas for industrial cooperation between our two countries.
Norway and Russia will facilitate the further development of trade and industrial cooperation in the Barents Region through improvements in both legislation and infrastructure. A concrete step in this direction is the cooperation between our two countries on the building of a new border post in Borisoglebsk.
The parties attach great importance to the growing cooperation in the field of telecommunications and will seek to enter into an agreement on postal and telecommunications services in the near future. The parties also agree that it is necessary to speed up the negotiations on new bilateral agreements on aviation and road transport. They are satisfied with the progress that has been made in the development of the cooperation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Transport Area.
We hope that Russia will become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the near future. As chair of the working party on Russian accession, Norway is playing a central and active role in these efforts and will contribute to progress in the accession negotiations.
3. Energy
Norway and Russia are two of Europe’s leading energy producers. The parties are giving priority to speeding up the transition from an active dialogue on energy issues to extensive cooperation to their mutual benefit.
Such a dialogue between the ministers responsible for energy in our two countries and other relevant bodies is already in progress within the framework of the joint Norwegian-Russian Forum on Energy and the Environment, where joint projects and efforts are also carried out in the fields of energy efficiency and management and calculation of petroleum resources.
As leading producers and exporters of oil and gas in Europe, Norway and Russia are interested in continued cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of international organizations.
The parties will seek to make use of the experience gained by Norwegian petroleum companies as regards field development on the continental shelf. We note with satisfaction that Norwegian interests are already actively involved in specific projects, such as the development of the Kharyaga and Shtokmanskoye fields.
The start of production on the Timan-Pechora field will help to strengthen cooperation between Norwegian and Russian companies, for example as regards investments. The parties are also prepared to take joint environmental measures to prevent oil spills, including measures in connection with possible transport of oil by ship in the Pechora Sea, Barents Sea and off Norway’s coast. The competent authorities in our two countries will evaluate the possibility of closer cooperation in this field.
Norway and Russia will take an active part in carrying out cooperation projects in the energy field within the Baltic Sea Region.
4.The Environment And Nuclear Safety
The parties emphasize the importance of continuing and further developing their broad-based environmental cooperation, first and foremost in the high north, and for this purpose they will also draw on the comparative advantages of the regional organizations.
We give particularly high priority to long-term environmental monitoring, which can provide a basis for determining priorities for protection measures and improve our knowledge of trends in the state of the environment in the northern seas.
Norway and Russia also consider cooperation within the framework of the Arctic Council to be very important: this includes cooperation on protection of the vulnerable environment of the northern areas.
The parties will contribute to a positive solution to the issue of modernization of the nickel works at Pechenganikel. The implementation of this project will be a convincing example of effective cooperation to improve the ecological situation without any negative impact on employment for the local population.
Norway and Russia wish to expand their cooperation on the management of spent uranium fuel and radioactive waste, for example from submarines withdrawn from the Russian Navy’s service. Measures of this type will make a significant contribution to safeguarding the environment in the northern areas. In this connection, it is important to succeed in implementing the bilateral Agreement of 26 May 1998 on environmental cooperation in connection with the dismantling of Russian nuclear-powered submarines withdrawn from the Navy’s service in the northern region, and the enhancement of nuclear and radiation safety. Norway and Russia welcome any contributions by other countries to improvements of the ecological situation in northern Russia, particularly in connection with solutions to the problems associated with decommissioned submarines. They will aim for early completion of the negotiations on the Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation (MNEPR), and call on the parties to these negotiations to resolve the outstanding questions in a mutually acceptable way. In this connection, we would also like to emphasise the importance of further developing the trilateral Arctic Military Environmental Cooperation (AMEC) between Norway, Russia and the USA in the northern areas.
5. Resource Management, Fisheries
In accordance with the bilateral agreements of 11 April 1975 and 15 October 1976 on cooperation and bilateral relations in the fisheries sector, the parties have a joint responsibility to ensure sound management of the rich fish resources in the sea areas to which these agreements apply: this is of crucial importance for ensuring means of subsistence, employment and food security for the coastal populations of our two countries. Norway and Russia have for many years enjoyed close and satisfactory cooperation on fisheries management and marine research. The parties declare that this cooperation must be further developed on a bilateral basis and for the benefit of both parties.
Norway and Russia will endeavour to cooperate efficiently in carrying out research expeditions in the Barents Sea, also in questions related to issuing documents of access for such purposes.
6. Delimitation In The Barents Sea
The governments of our two countries agree on the importance of further progress towards a solution as regards delimitation in the Barents Sea.
A new round of talks at senior-official level on delimitation in the Barents Sea was held in Oslo on 6 September 2000. It was noted that the process started in 1998 for determining common methods and consistent geodetic data is nearing completion. This will provide a framework for taking small, balanced steps with a view to achieving an agreement on delimitation in the Barents Sea.
It was agreed that in the further talks, a broad-based approach would be followed, including the various aspects of the delimitation process such as the fisheries and possible cooperation in the petroleum sector.
The next round of talks will be held in Moscow at the end of the year.
7. Human Security. Strengthened Cooperation on Safety at Sea, Search and Rescue Cooperation
Norway and Russia intend to cooperate on a broad range of issues associated with the prevention of serious accidents, including accidents at nuclear installations, warning of such accidents and improvement in cooperation on search and rescue operations.
Our cooperation after the tragic accident involving the submarine Kursk bears witness to the spirit of neighbourliness that characterizes relations between our two peoples. This event was a reminder of the need for close cooperation on safety in connection with both civilian and military shipping. The elimination of threats to human health and of the danger of damage to the environment and natural resources, including living marine resources, from accidents, including nuclear accidents, is a common task for our two countries.
The parties will take specific measures to improve the arrangements for early warning, ensure the rapid exchange of information and the deployment of existing search and rescue resources and hold regular joint exercises.
In this connection the parties refer to the Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed today, which emphasizes their willingness to further improve their cooperation on search and rescue operations at sea and on land.
The competent authorities in Norway and Russia will receive visits by representatives of the other country’s sea search and rescue service. They will also establish a joint working group to discuss issues relating to warning and search and rescue operations in the Barents Sea.
The parties agree to begin consultations between experts on the establishment of a Norwegian-Russian system for monitoring radiation in the vicinity of the Kursk.
8. Cooperation On The Justice Sector And Between Police Bodies
The parties consider it necessary to continue and in all respects strengthen the cooperation in the justice sector and law enforcement. They attach particular importance to cooperation on combating serious and organized crime, inter alia on the basis of the European Convention on Extradition of 1957 and the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters of 1959. They particularly emphasize the fruitful cooperation between the Norwegian and Russian law enforcement bodies within the framework of the Task Force on organized crime in the Barents Sea Region, composed of special representatives of the Heads of Government of the member states of the Council of the Baltic Sea States, where our two states together are coordinating the fight against trafficking of stolen vehicles. The Norwegian authorities will also continue their participation in the aid project for Russian prisons under the Council of Europe.
The Norwegian and Russian border authorities cooperate closely on issues relating to our common border in the north. They intend to deepen this cooperation.
9. Relations In The Military Field
The parties note with satisfaction the willingness that exists in both countries to expand and deepen the cooperation between Norway and Russia in the field of defence. A visit to Russia by the Norwegian Minister of Defence will provide an opportunity to discuss how defence cooperation should be organized in more detail. Long-term planning is necessary, followed up by measures such as regular contact and exchanges of visits at a high level, including annual meetings of the defence ministers and the re-establishment of annual talks between senior officials and senior staff from the defence authorities in the two countries.
In this connection the parties are planning to sign a plan of action for the development of cooperation between the armed forces of Norway and Russia by the end of the year. The parties will seek to strengthen and expand their cooperation within the framework of existing bilateral operative rescue exercises with the possible participation of representatives of the two countries’ armed forces.
10. The Human Dimension. Health, Education, Culture, Research
Culture
Contact and relations between our people and nations have over the centuries created strong cultural bonds. Close contact has characterized the border areas in Norway and Russia and has created a cultural fellowship and bonds between people across national borders. Today this fellowship is being further developed through active cultural cooperation. Norway and Russia attach great importance to the development of contact between people at regional level and to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples. In this connection the Cooperation Programme for Culture, Education and Scientific Research signed in Moscow on 25 September 2000 is intended to play a major role.
In November 1998 Russia’s first president, Mr. Boris Yeltsin, took the initiative for a broad-based exhibition featuring the history of the ties between Norway and Russia under the patronage of the heads of state. Norway welcomed the initiative. The parties acknowledge the great political and cultural significance of this unique project and give priority to the work being done on it. The exhibition to be held in Oslo in 2004 and in St. Petersburg in 2005, which will coincide with the 100th anniversary of the commencement of diplomatic relations between our two countries, will be a major event in our bilateral cultural relations.
Health
The parties express their satisfaction at the recent resumption of their bilateral cooperation on health matters, especially between northern Norway and northwestern Russia, which is based on the bilateral agreement on cooperation in the fields of health and medical research of 1994 and the programme of 1999. It is important to ensure that this cooperation is allowed to develop, not least within the framework of the health programme for the Barents Region that was adopted by the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in spring 1999.
The parties give their full support to the decision at the Baltic Sea Summit in Kolding to establish a task force of personal representatives of Heads of Government to draw up a plan for combating communicable diseases in the Baltic Sea region. We are satisfied with the progress being made in this area. We are looking forward to the report that is to be submitted at the end of the current year and intend to follow up its recommendations.
Education, research
Education and research are other elements of the cooperation between Norway and Russia that have great potential. Great importance is attached to implementing the agreement expressed in the joint declaration of 28 May 1999 from the two heads of government concerning cooperation on the training of government employees and business leaders. The parties will seek to activate the working group on scientific and technological cooperation established under the bilateral agreement of 26 May 1998 on scientific and technological cooperation.
Youth cooperation
Contact and exchanges between young people are an important way of strengthening the traditionally good neighbourly relations between our two countries. We will place the necessary emphasis on developing and continuing the bilateral cooperation in this area, which will supplement the youth programmes of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council. In this connection the conference for ministers responsible for youth issues that is to be held in Norway in spring 2001 may play an important role.
Norway and Russia are convinced that this Declaration, together with the Declaration on the Basis for Relations between the Kingdom of Norway and the Russian Federation of 1996, will provide important impetus to their bilateral cooperation, expand its scope and serve to further enhance the good neighbourly relations between the Norwegian and Russian peoples in the 21st century.
Oslo, 29 September 2000
