Agreement on an international Barents secretariat in Kirkenes

The Barents Euro-Arctic Council has agreed to establish an international secretariat for the Barents Cooperation in Kirkenes. An agreement to this effect was signed at a meeting of the Council’s foreign ministers in Rovaniemi, Finland on 15 November.

“I am pleased that we will now have an international secretariat for the Barents Cooperation. Norway has been working to secure this agreement for a long time,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre.

The agreement has been concluded between Finland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. The other member states, the Regional Committee and the Working Group of Indigenous Peoples all support the measure. A further agreement, between the secretariat and Norway as host country, was also signed at the meeting.

“Today, the Barents Cooperation is a cornerstone of Norway’s High North policy. The international secretariat will strengthen the work that is already in progress, and make the Barents Cooperation better equipped to meet new challenges,” said Mr Støre.

The purpose of establishing the secretariat is to boost effectiveness, continuity and coordination within the Barents Cooperation. The secretariat will provide technical support to the official bodies and working groups, as well as participate in project implementation and information activities. It will have the status of an international organisation.