Norway is cooperating with Russia in the High North despite the situation in Ukraine – NRK Troms and Finnmark
The Foreign Minister warns that Norway and other countries will introduce sanctions against Russia. It came after Russian soldiers were ordered into the Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Luhansk.
– Nevertheless, it is important to cooperate with our neighboring country, says Anniken Huitfeldt.
Cooperation in the High North has been put to the test in the past. Following the controversial annexation of Crimea in 2014, co-operation in the High North was identified as a good way to maintain dialogue.
– We have shown that through turbulent times we have managed to preserve part of this collaboration, says Huitfeldt.
Large cross-border collaborations
The parts of the co-operation the Foreign Minister specifically points to the Norwegian-Russian fisheries agreement. This is the largest bilateral fisheries agreement Norway has.
– Fisheries cooperation has worked since the Cold War, we will continue to do so.
In addition, Norway and Russia have an agreement to help each other by searching for missing and rescuing people in need in the Barents Sea. This collaboration will also try to continue.
– There we have an ever-expanding collaboration, Huitfeldt adds.
But the Foreign Minister emphasizes that it is not just a light tone between the two countries.
– Our task is to be clear on violations of international law, and clear when we describe the Russian aggression. But we want to take care of low voltage in the high north.
An important point in Anniken Huitfeldt’s meeting plan in relation to this week is the Church Conference. Here she will also meet Russian representatives.
– The conference is more important than any gang
Tomorrow starts the Church Conference, which focuses on development and cooperation in the Barents region.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde are coming here. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is taking part in a written speech.
The guest list also includes Russia’s Consul General in Kirkenes and the governor in Murmansk. In addition, there are several Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian representatives.
Conference leader Guro Brandshaug says the tense situation will make a mark on the conference. There is no doubt that what is going on in Ukraine will be a topic of conversation along the way.
– The conference is more important than ever, precisely because of the situation you are in.
– The High North has been an area with low tension and good cooperation, and especially in the Barents cooperation. It is important that we have this arena to come and be able to have a dialogue also about areas where we can cooperate.
Jonas Gahr meets with the other EU ambassadors in Brussels to “conclude against Russia” on sanctions. So far, Brandshaug has not received warnings that it may affect the Barents region’s meeting point in Kirkenes this week.
None of the reviews from Russia, Sweden, Finland or Norway have withdrawn so far
Was notified several years ago
Former Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen was concerned about what he observed from Russia.
– It is a Russia that is disconnecting from most things. Both international cooperation and security cooperation.
The positive thing in the NATO situation is that the West is united, he believes.
– That is the most important thing. That we collectively stand up for international law, does not recognize that a great power is taking action, and raises international rules that are the basis for us to be able to create peace and stability.
He already knows Putin’s tone in the conflict. In 2007, Frank Bakke-Jensen was present during the annual international security conference in Munich, where Putin is said to have announced the steps he was to take.
– Now only Putin confirms that this is the way he wants to go. He has no plans to spend much energy on creating international stability and cooperation.
Therefore, he also believes that it is important to continue cooperation in the High North.
– It will be extremely important, and explains:
– We have an exciting neighboring country and neighbors in the north. It is important that we achieve all these channels and try to normalize what can be in such a used situation as we are in now.
– Disturbing, also for us in the north
Editor of High North News, Arne O. Holm is also a participant in the Church Conference.
He fears what the conflict in Ukraine may do with cooperation in the High North.
– The development we see around us, which takes place further south in Europe, it is very disturbing. Also for us who live in the north, says Holm.
He fears it could affect the Arctic Council, which is a collaboration between the eight Arctic states, including Norway and Russia.
This collaboration has also been successful through hard times in the past.
– This is accelerating, and there is a rhetoric that follows the wake of this conflict. My fear is that this cross-border cooperation will suffer. And that as a result of a great power conflict, Holm concludes.