15th Kirkenes Conference Discusses Barents Region Cooperation
On 23-24 February 2022, the Fifteenth Kirkenes Conference was hosted in Norway to discuss cooperation in the Barents Region. Being an apolitical event, it focused primarily on the business and social aspects of development in the High North, including in border areas. The conference was attended by delegates from Russia, Norway, Finland and Sweden.
Among key topics discussed is cross-border cooperation. It has been ten years since the bilateral agreement on local border traffic regime signed by Russia and Norway in 2010 became effective. It has enabled thousands of Russian and Norwegians living in the border area to visit their respective neighboring countries without having to apply for visas. Both Russian and Norwegian participants call this initiative “a prominent success story”, which has helped cement cross-border ties between the two nations. At the moment, Murmansk Oblast is the only Russian region enjoying the benefits associated with this kind of agreement: a similar regime was in effect between Kaliningrad and parts of Poland; however, in 2016 it was suspended by the Polish Government. According to the Norwegians, there are no such plans on the Norwegian side.
The Kirkenes Conference is yet another proof that the Arctic dialog should continue at all levels, including the interregional one. In turn, cross-border cooperation provides an important platform for pushing forward international relations in political, economic, social and cultural dimensions.
Arctic Today is a column by PORA CEO Alexander Stotskiy analyzing major international, national and regional events and trends in the Arctic.
Among key topics discussed is cross-border cooperation. It has been ten years since the bilateral agreement on local border traffic regime signed by Russia and Norway in 2010 became effective. It has enabled thousands of Russian and Norwegians living in the border area to visit their respective neighboring countries without having to apply for visas. Both Russian and Norwegian participants call this initiative “a prominent success story”, which has helped cement cross-border ties between the two nations. At the moment, Murmansk Oblast is the only Russian region enjoying the benefits associated with this kind of agreement: a similar regime was in effect between Kaliningrad and parts of Poland; however, in 2016 it was suspended by the Polish Government. According to the Norwegians, there are no such plans on the Norwegian side.
The Kirkenes Conference is yet another proof that the Arctic dialog should continue at all levels, including the interregional one. In turn, cross-border cooperation provides an important platform for pushing forward international relations in political, economic, social and cultural dimensions.
Arctic Today is a column by PORA CEO Alexander Stotskiy analyzing major international, national and regional events and trends in the Arctic.
25 February 2022
