Norway and Russia. Taking Northern Knowledge to the Next Level

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The Minister’s lecture was based on the following points:

 

 

Illustration: Title slide.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am very glad and honoured to be here today. A Norwegian Foreign Minister should always have Russia in mind. This has particularly been the case this week. And it is a good feeling!

 

Illustration: Signing of agreement in Murmansk two days ago. 

Two days ago, in Murmansk, I had the pleasure of signing a landmark agreement with Russia together with my good friend and colleague Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in the presence of President Dmitri Medvedev and Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

This was indeed a historic occasion – both for Russia and for Norway. After nearly 40 years of negotiations we have reached agreement on the maritime delimitation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean.

While our land border has remained fixed for nearly two centuries (since 1826), our border at sea was disputed – until now. And not least as important, we have shown the world how good neighbours resolve border disputes: by means of peaceful negotiations firmly based on modern principles of international law.

 

Illustrasjon: Delimitation line, map.

 

The agreement, including the delimitation line you see illustrated here, is in full accordance with the law of the sea and international rules and principles for maritime delimitation. Under the agreement, the disputed area of 175 000 square kilometres has been divided into two parts of approximately the same size. 

This will form the basis for determining the Norwegian and Russian zones and our continental shelves in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. It will ensure clarity and stability with regard to jurisdiction, law enforcement and the management of resources.  The agreement will have to be ratified by both the Norwegian Parliament – the Storting – and the Russian Duma before it enters into force. We aim to submit the agreement to the Storting for approval as soon as possible.

A stable and clearly defined border between friendly countries is vital for close cooperation and mutual trust. We believe that the agreement gives us an excellent opportunity to develop natural resources in a sustainable way – onshore as well as offshore – with interesting possibilities for further scientific and technological cooperation.

A key reason for me to address you today is the following message:

Developments in the High North must be based on knowledge. This is vital for sustainability and stability. I believe we should build a northern hub of knowledge. The enhanced cooperation between Russian universities and scientific institutions and their Norwegian counterparts is an important part of this.

 

Illustration: Aarbakke and Kudryashova in Tromsø in May.

The cooperation between universities and colleges in Arkhangelsk and institutions in Norway, particularly the University in Tromsø and the University College in Bodø, dates back several years. We will hear more details on this subject from these two – Rector Aarbakke and Rector Kudryasheva – in a little while. What I would like to stress here is that I am impressed by the scope of this cooperation, by the range of academic fields involved and the substantial number of students and teachers taking part in exchange schemes.

And I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new status as a federal university. I understand that you intend to give priority to training specialists and carrying out research with a view to future developments in the Arctic. This is of great interest to us and should enable us to reach new goals through a broader and wider cooperation.

And, of course, other universities and colleges in Norway – for example in Stavanger, Oslo and Trondheim – are also involved in this cooperation. Indeed, there should be no boundaries for science and international cooperation, and we welcome the signing of new cooperation agreements here today and hope they will give new impetus to our common efforts.

The establishment of the Barents Cooperation in the 1990s opened the doors for broad and mutually beneficial cooperation in the north. The key words are normalisation and people-to-people contact. Such contacts should be further developed and extended to new areas. We believe that Archangelsk should be a focal point here. We see perspectives for enhanced economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in the fields of education and science. That is one of the reasons why we are here today at the Northern Arctic Federal University.

 

Illustration. Barents region. Norwegian-Russian border.

From the perspective of recent history Norway and Russia are still in a phase of “rediscovering” each other. But a strong and continuous process of normalisation is going on. The border where East met West during the Cold War – and we must remember that Norway was the only NATO country with a border to the Soviet Union – is now an area of increasing cross-border cooperation.

Here you see Foreign Minister Lavrov and I walking across the border a couple of years ago. I believe it sends a strong and positive message to the communities on either side of the border, because this is how we believe peaceful neighbours should be able to interact. Border crossings have increased more than 30-fold these past 20 years, and we are working together with the Russian authorities to facilitate cross-border activities even further.

Some of you have already experienced this and have received “Pomor” visas. We are now getting close to finalising an agreement on the facilitation of mutual travel for border residents in the municipalities of Sør-Varanger and Pechenga. And in a longer perspective our aim is general visa-free travel and a flexible employment regime in a common High North labour market.

 

Illustration: Map, the region, Arkhangelsk, Vardø, Pomor trade.

As you know, Norway and Russia have been good neighbours and have lived in peace for more than a thousand years. Not many neighbouring countries can say the same. Many centuries ago, Norwegians travelled to the White Sea, Gandvik as they called it. But the most important period for us was the time of the “Pomor” trade, which lasted for nearly three centuries before dwindling out after the revolution in1917.

It was based on barter, and was therefore not always welcomed by the central authorities for political and economic reasons, but it developed because it met a real need in the region. The Pomor trade made life easier for people and improved their living conditions. We should bear in mind that our region is the most densely populated in the Arctic and it is important to secure a good life for our citizens now, just as it was then.

During this period, Russians and Norwegians even developed their own kind of pidgin language, “russenorsk”, to facilitate this trade. Moja kupom hos tvoja – I will buy from you – was a phrase that was widely used. Russians bought fish and sold flour and timber. At the peak of the trade as many as 350 Russian ships could visit ports in Troms and Finnmark during a single season.

Then as now, knowledge was key. Student exchanges took place between our countries during the Pomor period too. Sons and daughters of Pomor merchants were sent to educational institutions in Tromsø, Hammerfest and even Oslo, and several young Norwegians came to Russia, indeed to Archangelsk, to learn more about their important neighbour. We know that in 1856, ten Norwegians were studying Russian in Archangelsk. And Norwegian was an important subject at Russian maritime schools.

Today there is a Russian student boom in Norway. Russian students now make up the largest group of international students in our country. A total of 1 035 Russian students are registered in Norway, compared with 814 Swedes and 777 Germans. The largest increase has been in North Norway, especially in Tromsø and Bodø. Unfortunately the number of Norwegian students in Russia was only 75 last year. We sincerely hope this number will increase, and that more Norwegians will come to Archangelsk to study at your new federal university. Both countries need more specialists on the other country. The best barter trade we can do today is the exchange of knowledge. This should be the Pomor trade for our time and for the future.

This is my first visit to Pomorje – and the “City” as I gather Archangelsk was called. The history of Archangelsk, the cradle of Russian shipbuilding, the country’s first sea port and international city, Russia’s first gateway to Europe, dating back to before St. Petersburg was developed, is exceptionally rich and interesting. And it is connected to Norway in so many ways. It is the story of how industrious, enterprising and adventurous farmers, sailors and fishermen found ways of making a good living in the High North through their own efforts.

 

Illustration: Lomonosov, poem.

Next year we will celebrate the 300th anniversary of the birth of the greatest of all Pomors, Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov, in both Russia and Norway. Next year it is also 150 years since Fridtjof Nansen was born. These two great scientists and explorers of the Arctic region are and will continue to be an inspiration for many young people, in these areas and elsewhere.

An exhibition on Lomonsov will be held during the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø in January, and we are also planing a seminar: entitled “From Lomonosov to Nansen – and beyond”.  The story of how Lomonosov, the son of a merchant and fisherman from the White Sea became one of the leading scientists of his time – a scholar who gained wide recognition in Europe in the time of Enlightenment – is truly remarkable. He is the father of Russian science, more or less every branch, modern literary language and literature.

In what is probably his most famous poem Vetsjernjeje razmysjlenie – “An Evening Meditation on the Divine Majesty on the occasion of the Great Northern Lights” – which you can see here on the right in this picture – he marvels at nature, but at the same time asks: “But Nature, where are your laws?” It is an excellent example of philosophical poetry and scientific curiosity expressed by a man who knew the extraordinary Northern Lights – severnjeje sijanije – and not only by hearsay. His scientific curiosity is his great legacy for us today.  

Since my Government took office in 2005, the High North has been a strategic priority in Norwegian foreign policy. We set this priority because this region is vital for our current and future livelihoods. And because we, as an Arctic nation, have a particular responsibility – as well as the ability – to make a difference here.

During my five years as Foreign Minister, I have taken note of the rising political interest in Arctic affairs. The Arctic merits, and receives, increasing attention from many states – for ecological, economic and geopolitical reasons. We welcome this.

Developments in the Arctic have global effects. Global actors have legitimate interests in the region and can make a valuable contribution. The Arctic is also home to one of the world’s most innovative and successful forums of regional cooperation – the Arctic Council.

The Arctic Council, as you know, is made up of the five coastal states surrounding the Arctic Ocean– Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia and the US – in addition to the other three Nordic countries Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

The Council has proven itself to be an efficient instrument for developing guidelines, best practices and knowledge. This cooperation has been consolidated and updated over the last few years, and I believe it is important to strengthen this work further.

In recent years, there have been extensive discussions on the role of observer states in the Arctic Council. It is Norway’s view that the Arctic Council will benefit from having officially sanctioned observers. Formalisation of the status of observers will strengthen the undisputed role of the Arctic Council as the leading circumpolar Arctic body.

 

Illustration: The Arctic, map.

I wanted to show you this map because, with the north at the centre, it gives a different – and you could say our – perspective of the High North. These are key areas for my country, and for my country’s interests, as I believe they are for Russia.

The Arctic has been and is today a peaceful region. We speak of “High North – low tension”. Our first priority is to ensure that this continues to be the case despite the changes that increased human activity – due to climate change – is bound to entail. Greater interest in the region is not threatening or conducive to conflict. The fact that one state undertakes an activity does not prevent other states from doing the same, on the contrary. This is not a “zero-sum game”.

The policies and mechanisms that are established in the region will ensure that cooperation – not confrontation – will continue. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is one of the most comprehensive sets of intergovernmental regulations in the world. It clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the coastal states. Yes, we need supplementary regulations in accordance with the law of the sea. We are working on this through organisations such as the IMO. But my main point is this: There is no race for the Arctic. And through international cooperation based on international law we – the Arctic states together with other key states – will keep it that way.

Our relationship with Russia is a central dimension of our High North policy. Indeed this policy has three pillars – tri kita (“three whales”, according to Russian mythology, the earth rests on three whales), as I believe you would say: 1) Relations with Russia, 2) environment/climate change and 3) natural resources.

The management of our respective resources in the Barents Sea will always be at the heart of our cooperation with Russia. As part of the follow-up of our High North policy, we initiated a project on the harmonisation of health, safety and environment standards for petroleum activities in the Barents Sea in 2007.

The intention of the project was to develop closer cooperation with Russia on sound exploitation of the petroleum resources in the Barents Sea. However, it has attracted much broader interest than we had expected, including from third party countries.

I believe this was the first important step of many that we need to take to ensure that future exploration and production activities in the Barents Sea are carried out in a sustainable manner on both sides of the border. I find this bottom-up approach interesting. The involvement of industrial actors will help to ensure that these standards are viable for the industry.

 

Illustration: Arctic, melting of ice, 1979 – 2007.

The Arctic is experiencing some of the most rapid and severe effects of climate change in the world, and the rate and severity of these changes is expected to increase. Melting ice in the Arctic will affect the rest of the planet through increased global warming and rising sea levels. Changes in the Arctic will also affect the weather and ecosystems all over the globe.

Last December, together with former US Vice President Al Gore, I presented a report to the climate conference in Copenhagen on the melting of snow and ice and its global consequences.

In the report we showed that Arctic sea ice is retreating at an alarming rate. As you can see from the map here, in 2007 the sea ice cover of the Arctic was nearly 50 per cent less than during the 1950s and 1960s. And in June this year, the sea ice cover fell below the level recorded in June 2007. The Greenland ice sheet is melting, and snow cover and permafrost are also being reduced. The same is happening at the world’s “third pole” – as it is sometimes called – in the Himalayas.

The Arctic is not where the consequences of climate change will be most severely felt, but it is where they are first seen. The Arctic offers front row seats in the global theatre of climate change. The region is therefore very important for climate change research.

 

Illustration: Energy resources, Arctic, USGS.

But the melting ice in the Arctic Ocean is also making resources more accessible and opening up new transport routes – developments that we may call the third driver for change in the Arctic.

There are important renewable and non-renewable resources in the Arctic. The prospect of developing the Arctic petroleum province is perhaps the main reason for the increasing interest in the Arctic over the last few years.

Some estimates indicate that the region may have significant petroleum deposits – perhaps more than 20 per cent of the world’s total undiscovered resources. However, there is great uncertainty attached to these estimates, as they are based on probabilistic assessments and geological scenarios rather than technical field data.

At the same time, there is general agreement that much of these undiscovered resources are likely to be in the form of natural gas and to be found mainly in the West Siberian Basin and East Barents Basin, on both the Russian and the Norwegian side, as you can see on this illustration here.

Of course, significant petroleum production is already taking place in the Arctic, primarily onshore in Russia, but also in Norway and in several of the other Arctic states. The Norwegian Snøhvit field in the Barents Sea is the world’s northernmost offshore gas field, and the liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing facility on the island of Melkøya off the north Norwegian coast is the first – and so far only – LNG plant in the Arctic region. In Norway we have over 40 years of offshore experience in the petroleum sector. We are the world’s third largest exporter of gas, and the fifth largest exporter of oil. Our activities on the Norwegian continental shelf have enabled us to develop expertise and industries that are capable of pursuing operations in Arctic waters.

For this is a region where expertise and know-how will most definitely be needed. Exploiting energy resources in the Arctic is very demanding, in both technical and economic terms. The case in point is the vast Shtokman field – the largest offshore natural gas field in the world – which will be developed through collaboration between Gazprom, Total and the Norwegian company Statoil. New technical solutions have to be found that can withstand the harsh Arctic climate. This also means that a higher level of investment is needed than in other petroleum provinces.

It should be noted that there are considerable differences within the Arctic region. The Norwegian part of the Barents Sea is one of the least challenging areas, both technically and commercially. Norwegian petroleum production has already moved north successfully. Nevertheless, given the magnitude of the investments needed, companies will have to think twice about starting operations in the region.

Meanwhile, the Government will have to maintain its focus on developing sound policies and management plans that balance concerns related to oil and gas production, fisheries and environmental protection.

 

Illustration: New shipping lanes.

The melting of the ice is also opening up new opportunities for international shipping. For countries that are particularly dependent on imports and exports, like China, South Korea and Japan, the prospect of new shipping lanes in the Arctic is naturally of great interest. There may be substantial commercial implications. The journey from Shanghai to Hamburg via the Northern Sea Route is 6 400 kilometres shorter than the route via the Strait of Malacca and the Suez Canal, saving time, fuel and money. The northern route would also make it possible to avoid bottlenecks like the Suez and Panama canals, and there are security benefits entailed in avoiding the Gulf of Aden.

However, there are also substantial costs linked to Arctic shipping. The seas are stormy and navigation will be difficult due to fog, ice forming on the deck, and the need to pass through narrow, shallow straits particularly along the “inner” Northern Sea Route along the Russian coast. The sea ice conditions will also vary from year to year, both in time and place. This means that regular commercial, cost-efficient logistics will be difficult, at least in the near future.

 

Illustration: M/V Nordic Barents.

But for the time being, ships sailing through the Northeast Passage are reliant on ice breakers. This represents a considerable cost, but still we are seeing more ships attempting this route. On Saturday 4 September M/V Nordic Barents – which you can see on this picture – departed from Kirkenes bound for China, carrying 41 000 tonnes of iron ore concentrate.

 

Illustration: Shipping lane and M/V Nordic Barents.

The ship will pass through the Northeast Passage, accompanied by two icebreakers from Atomflot.

This journey involves cooperation with the Centre for High North Logistics, which was established with financial support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in collaboration with Norwegian businesses and research communities to develop efficient and environmentally sound logistical solutions for the Arctic. We hope to extend this cooperation in the future to include the port of Archangelsk. Norway is cooperating with The Non-commercial Partnership for the Northern Sea Route through Rogaland County and the Northern Maritime Corridor.

Knowledge is essential for addressing the important challenges that Arctic shipping entails. The keyword is safety of navigation. It is especially important to establish search and rescue services in such a large and, at times, hostile sea area.

We also need regulations and standards for the design and equipment of ships operating in the Arctic, as well as clear guidelines for the training of personnel. Norway is working actively through the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to develop a mandatory polar code for ships operating in the Arctic region. And I appreciate our cooperation with Russia in this regard.

 

Illustration: Russian map, continental shelves, maritime zone.

Let us now take a look at the geographical realities. The Arctic – unlike Antarctica – is an ocean surrounded by national states with sovereign rights to sea areas off their coasts, in accordance with international law. And, as I have already mentioned: people do live here.

The five Arctic coastal states – Canada, Denmark/Greenland, Norway, Russia and the US – also enjoy sovereign rights and have jurisdiction over maritime zones and continental shelves in accordance with the law of the sea. Here on this picture you see the extent of the Russian maritime zone in the Arctic – and the projections for the Russian continental shelf.

The five Arctic coastal states agree that an international legal framework is already in place, namely the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. All the Arctic coastal states abide by the Convention’s provisions, including the US, although the Convention has yet to be ratified by the US Senate. The policies and mechanisms that are already in place will ensure that the Arctic continues to be a stable and peaceful region characterised by good neighbourly relations and scientific cooperation.

 

Illustration: Research. EISCAT radar system.

Researchers from Norway, Russia and other countries are continuously developing collaboration on polar research. On 12 June this year, I addressed the Oslo Conference of the International Polar Year. It was attended by more than 2 300 polar researchers from nearly 50 countries – making it the largest polar research conference to date. More important still is the broader cooperation that the Polar Year fostered. Agreements on polar research cooperation are important tools for developing our mutual understanding of the challenges we are facing in the Arctic. Because at the end of the day, these challenges are common to us all.

I would like to point out that science and research not only form the foundation for understanding the world we are living in today, but also provide the basic raw material for my profession – foreign policy and diplomacy – and for my job as Foreign Minister of Norway.

We cannot take the right political actions unless the correct facts have been established. Our room for manoeuvre as politicians is and has to be shaped by the knowledge scientists produce. And it has never been more timely for a Foreign Minister to commit him- or herself to science cooperation than it is today, given the character of many of the challenges the world is facing. Among the most complex of these are, of course, climate change and the question of how to build sustainable economies and societies for the future. 

It is obvious that international cooperation has a role in science, but as Foreign Minister I would also say that the opposite is true: that science has a role in international cooperation and foreign policy in general.

I would therefore like to say a few words about the links between the scientific community and the political system. Although we have distinctive roles to play, cooperation between us will be vital if we are to address the challenges of our time. An outstanding example is the way that climate change has come to the forefront of foreign policy, international cooperation and diplomacy today. This is the result of serious science and research in this area over time. Politicians today know that we have to act in order to address this threat and that we have to base our difficult decisions on the best science and research available. Knowledge that is developed properly, shared fairly and used wisely is key.

There will always be some uncertainty related to scientific results. In fact scientific development depends on debate and critical questions. However, the “merchants of doubt” actively use this uncertainty to play down the issue. I have myself experienced this when Al Gore and I presented our report on melting ice last year. The recently released assessment of the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has criticised the way the IPCC has been working. I consider this assessment to be valuable in the ongoing efforts to improve quality in science. My point is that we must not focus so much on any such uncertainties that we fail to take any action at all. On an issue such as climate change we have to let the precautionary principle lead the way.

Norway has a long history of polar exploration and research and this is just one of several reasons for our deep involvement in polar research. Norway is also the only country with territories and maritime areas in both polar regions. We are the world’s fifth polar research nation in terms of publications – the third in terms of Arctic research.

In this connection I would like to mention the establishment of the EISCAT radar system (European Incoherent Scatter) in Svalbard – you can see it here – an installation that many international scientists are already using. This is an excellent example of an international research platform taking advantage of Svalbard’s unique position at 78 degrees north and easy accessibility with regular flights. Another important example of cooperation in the High North is the project Barents Watch – an integrated maritime surveillance system for the increased maritime traffic in the High North. This will provide us with real-time information about environment, weather conditions, marine resources and human activity. Systems like this would not have been possible without extensive international science and research cooperation.

I should also highlight our scientific cooperation with Russia. We have established a successful science-based resource management system for fish and marine resources with our Russian friends here in the High North. Unreported fishing of cod in the Barents Sea, which used to be a serious problem, has been significantly reduced over the last few years. Thus, the most recent figures from the Coast Guard suggest that in 2009 no such over-fishing was reported at all in these waters. We are proud of this achievement, and it bodes well for sustainable science-based resource management in the future.

We need scientists to examine more closely the impact of developing new renewable and non-renewable resources in the Arctic and of using new commercial sea routes as the sea ice recedes further. Otherwise it will not be possible to ensure sustainable economic development in the region. Knowledge is key for developing the region. And if we don’t have the necessary knowledge, we must invest in new knowledge.

Therefore the Norwegian Government has allocated a total of NOK 23.6 billion (approximately USD 375 million) in 2010 to research and development in general. NOK 615 million (approximately USD 100 million) of these funds is earmarked for research in the north in connection with follow-up the High North Strategy. We believe that investing in research and science offers huge potential for developing further our constructive relations with Russia and other countries, as well as for our broader foreign policy efforts.

One of the lessons we learned from the International Polar Year was that although our knowledge is increasing, there is still a great deal that we do not fully understand and that needs to be further studied.

So the world needs scientists and their insights more than ever in order to ensure that we develop in the right direction. How can we as politicians help to make this happen? We must ensure adequate and balanced recruitment and training of young experts in the most important fields. And to achieve this, we must provide good education and research facilities and secure international exchange programmes for scientists and students.

That is what we seeking to achieve together with Russia. We hope the Norwegian presence in your wonderful city will be permanent and grow. And we welcome more Russian students and scientists to Norway. And of course all other guests from Archangelsk and the rest of your country.

 

Illustration: Title slide.

Earlier today Norway opened an honorary consulate here in Archangelsk. This reflects our commitment to further developing the ties between us. In fact Norway had a consulate here from 1815 (together with Sweden until 1905) until 1937. We have now returned to the Pomor capital. A great deal of Russian–Norwegian activity is currently taking place in connection with the Margaratinskaya yarmarka (cultural festival). Several cooperation agreements will be and have already been signed, between Arkhangelskaya oblast and Norway’s northernmost counties, and between public and scientific institutions in both countries. We have also organised a network meeting for Norwegian and Russian companies, and next week the Norwegian–Russian cultural cooperation in the High North will be further strengthened by the launch of a bilateral cultural forum. This bodes well for the future and I am confident that our cooperation will take important steps ahead.

Thank you.