Miljøvernminister Siri Bjerkes innlegg under Barentsrådets ministermøte 21. august 2001 i Kirkenes.

The Barents Environmental Co-operation

Dear Colleagues and Participants in the Barents process,

The Barents co-operation is a very successful example of regional interaction, not least due to the efforts at the local level. A wide range of initiatives builds trust and contributes to peaceful co-existence.

The region faces significant environmental challenges, affecting living conditions and posing potential threats to the development in the area. I believe the co-operation we have initiated shows a way to address these challenges.

In the field of climate change and energy we have projects which can contribute to the follow-up of the Kyoto protocol as well as to the modernisation of the energy system. This is also important for the welfare of the local population in an area with rough climate and a long heating season. One such project is the Joint Nordic Russian Bioenergy Initiative. The Russian proposal to establish a Pilot Region for Joint Implementation projects in Archangels Oblast is very interesting in this context and we hope it will facilitate strengthened climate and energy co-operation.

I consider the network on nature protection and conservation of biodiversity, presented earlier today, a real success story. It involves several of the countries in the Barents co-operation in a joint effort to protect the vast wilderness areas in the Barents area. These areas are unique in a European context. Networks can contribute to capacity building and policy development across borders, in addition to distributing information and awareness raising of the local population. I believe this way of networking could be an inspiration for other areas of co-operation.

The damages in the border area from transboundary air pollution led to the co-operation with Russia on modernisation of the Petchenga Nikel Mining and Smelting Combine. This modernisation will now be realised. To achieve modernisation on a larger scale further dissemination of the Cleaner Production Programme, strengthening of the financial instruments and reduction of legal and financial barriers are needed.

Spent fuel and nuclear installations in North-west Russia represent a significant risk to the environment, health and use of living resources in the Barents region. The reduction of this risk is of paramount importance. I will underline the importance of reaching an agreement on the multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme for Russia (MNEPR). This is a prerequisite for enhanced participation by EU and other donors in the implementation of more extensive projects directly addressing the problems.

As a recent and successful example of concrete results of such co-operation, I would like to mention the up-graded facility for treatment of liquid radioactive waste from the Northern Nuclear Fleet in Murmansk, which is now ready for test operation. I look very much forward to visit this site tomorrow.

A major threat to the Barents Sea is radioactive discharges from the British reprocessing facility in Sellafield. These discharges, including technetium-99, have increased substantially since the mid-90ies and are accumulating in marine organisms in the Barents Sea.

The tragedy of Kursk one year ago, reminds us that we have no guarantee that accidents with nuclear fuelled vessels or nuclear shipments can be avoided. The lifting of the Kursk from the floor of the Barents Sea is scheduled in mid September. The risks connected to this operation can not be eliminated, but should be minimised. I consider transparency and reliability of information on issues such radiation levels, safety measures and risk analyses to be of vital importance to avoid rumours and speculations regarding pollution and accident risks during the lifting operation.

I will also like to underline the need to ensure environmentally safe oil and gas activities and sea transport and to strengthen further co-operation to protect the vast marine resources and land and coastal areas in the region from future pollution. The Norwegian Government firmly opposes the plans to import spent fuel and to transport nuclear waste along the Norwegian coast from Europe to Russia.

The planned transport along the Northern Sea Route also highlights the need to take significant measures to ensure safe sea transport of hazardous materials. This is an issue of considerable concern in Norway. To meet these challenges, the Norwegian Government has developed an action-plan to improve safety and preparedness related to sea transport. Norway has also taken an initiative within the UN Commission of Sustainable Development to establish and strengthen internationally agreed regulations regarding safety. This initiative is relevant to international maritime transportation of radioactive materials. Norway will also put this issue on the agenda of the 5 ^th> North Sea Conference in March next year.

I am very impressed by the work presented here today under Local Agenda 21. They have shown us how to exploit modest economic support to strengthen environmental commitment and realise local initiatives. Co-operation on the regional and local level has indeed been of the most successful results of the Barents co-operation. I would therefore suggest that our successes and experiences from this region should be presented in connection with the World Summit in Johannesburg in 2002.

Thank you for your attention!