White paper on opportunities and challenges in the northern areas. Research co-operation in the north

The white paper 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 white paper announces that research in the northern areas will be given higher priority. This includes stepping up research co-operation with Russia.

“Research is essential to sound management of the northern areas. It is also a prerequisite for our ability to resolve the environmental problems and take a precautionary approach to climate change,” said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen.

The Government will continue its efforts to facilitate research activities on Svalbard, where a number of countries have established their own research stations. More countries are expected to send researchers to Ny-Ålesund once the new marine laboratory is completed this summer. The Government hopes to involve Russia more closely in the research co-operation on Svalbard.

The Government attaches importance to ensuring that the indigenous peoples’ situation is an integral part of Norway’s northern areas policy and will therefore seek to strengthen Sami research as an element of its increased focus on the northern areas.