White paper on opportunities and challenges in the northern areas. Nuclear safety co-operation

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.

“It is important that Norway, as a neighbouring country, assists in the environmental clean-up in northwestern Russia,” said Foreign Minister Jan Petersen. “This applies not least to the numerous nuclear facilities on the Kola Peninsula. In the white paper on the northern areas, the Government has therefore announced that it will step up its efforts in connection with the co-operation with Russia on nuclear safety in the north.”

The dismantling of decommissioned submarines from the Northern Fleet is an important priority area for Norway. In 2003-2004 Norway paid for the dismantling of two such vessels.

“I am pleased to see that the negotiations on Norwegian funding of a new submarine project have been concluded most successfully. The contract will be signed later this month,” continued the Foreign Minister.

Simultaneously with the presentation of the white paper, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is releasing an information brochure on Norway’s nuclear safety co-operation with Russia. The brochure has been produced in collaboration with the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority and is available at http://handlingsplan.nrpa.no.