Norway and Russia ratify treaty on maritime delimitation

Today Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov exchanged the instruments of ratification of the Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. “This is a milestone and a historic day for Norway. Our land borders and maritime boundaries are now all clearly established” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The exchange of instruments of ratification at Akershus Castle was the final step towards entry into force of the historic treaty on maritime delimitation, which was signed in Murmansk on 15 September last year. The treaty has since been deliberated and approved by the Storting and the State Duma. The treaty will enter into force on 7 July 2011.

“With this treaty, we are setting an example worldwide of how delimitation disputes can be resolved peacefully, in accordance with international law and within the framework of modern international jurisprudence. With this treaty, Norway and Russia are also making it clear that there is no ongoing race for resources in the Arctic, but that we – as responsible Arctic coastal states – are adhering to international law, including the international law of the sea,” said Foreign Minister Støre.

The treaty also covers cooperation in these areas. The close Norwegian–Russian cooperation on fisheries in the Barents Sea will be continued. Fishermen on both sides will be able to fish as before. In addition, the treaty contains provisions on how Norway and Russia are to cooperate on exploiting any transboundary petroleum deposits that are discovered.

“The treaty creates new opportunities for petroleum activities and cooperation in areas of the Barents Sea that have so far been closed to such activities. This is the start of a new chapter in our cooperation with our Russian neighbour,” said Mr Støre. 

• Read more on the background to the treaty
• See photos from the ceremony in Oslo 7 June 2011 at the Ministry's Flickr page