Agreement signed between Norway and Russia on maritime delimitation in the Varangerfjord area

Norway and Russia signed an agreement today on maritime delimitation of a coastal area at the mouth of the Varangerfjord.

“We are pleased that we have reached agreement on maritime delimitation in the Varangerfjord area.  Although the area concerned is of limited size, this is an important agreement. It is 50 years since Norway last negotiated a boundary agreement with Russia,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

“The signing of an advanced maritime boundary agreement of this kind strengthens our neighbourly relations with Russia and is a step in the right direction. Clear boundary lines are important for all users of the sea, particularly in an area so close to the coast. This will help to ensure greater predictability and stability,” said Mr Støre.

“The negotiations were conducted in a constructive spirit. This process and the agreement that has now been reached could contribute positively to the efforts to reach agreement on the area of overlapping claims in the Barents Sea. The area covered by today’s agreement lies to the south of the Barents Sea. Norway and Russia have agreed to give priority to continuing negotiations on further delimitation,” said Mr Støre.

In 1957 Norway and Russia concluded an agreement on the sea frontier in the Varangerfjord. The new agreement updates and clarifies certain points established in the 1957 agreement. It also determines a delimitation line for the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between Norway and Russia further north outside the mouth of the Varangerfjord.