White paper on opportunities and challenges in the northern areas. Creation of a Barents Institute in Kirkenes

A white paper entitled Opportunities and Challenges in the North (Report No. 30 (2004-2005) to the Storting) was presented to the Council of State today. In the white paper, the Government gives an account of the new opportunities and challenges Norway is facing in the northern areas and how it intends to address them with a view to securing political stability and sustainable development in the region.

The Barents Secretariat has submitted a proposal for creating a Barents Institute in Kirkenes, which will be devoted particularly to studying issues related to the extraction of energy resources and regional co-operation. This will be made possible by an increase in funding for the Barents Secretariat.

“In the Government’s view, this is a very interesting proposal, which should be followed up,” said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

A Barents Institute could focus particularly on issues related to resource use and regional co-operation, and would be expected to co-operate closely with established research and educational institutions.