Finnish companies could take part
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin opens the doors for possible Finnish participation in the Shtokman project in a period where Finland boosts its Arctic cross-border activities in the north considerable.
- The Shtokman gas condensate field in the Barents Sea is an area where Finnish companies could participate, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said Sunday after talks with Finland’s Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen on Sunday.
The two prime ministers met in St. Petersburg. Two weeks ago a large delegation of businessmen from northern Finland participated at the Murmansk International Economical Forum. The main focus area of the Murmansk Forum was the development of the Shtokman gas condensate field, as reported by BarentsObserver.
- Today we discussed the possibility for Finnish companies to participate in the developing of the Shtokman field. Participation of Finnish partners is also possible here, Putin told journalists after the meeting, according to the Vocie of Russia.
Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Vanhanen confirmed the government will decide on a license for the construction of the Nordstream pipeline through Finland’s economic zone. The decision will be taken on November 5th, reports YLE News.
Last week, BarentsObserver reported that former Finnish Prime Minister, Paavo Lipponen, said the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea will enhance Baltic security. The 1220 km long underwater Nord Stream pipeline should not be considered a security challenge, Lipponen said.
Nord Stream is a gas pipeline to link Russia and the European Union via the Baltic Sea. Some of the gas from the Shtokman field could be sent via the Nord Stream pipeline to Europe.
During the last few months, Finland has increased its focus on Arctic issues considerable. Sunday’s Shtokman talks between Putin and Vanhanen is just a follow up of the two large Finnish business delegations to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk the last month.
Speeking at the 20th anniversary of the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi in late September, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb presented Finland’s Arctic Strategy. The strategy highlights the possibilities for Finnish companies to participate in energy- and infrastructure development together with Russia in the north. At the same time, the strategy stress the serious problems connected to global warming and possible melting of the permafrost, as BarentsObserver reported in September.
Speaking at the Barents Council meeting in Murmansk on October 15th, Stubb said the Barents Region was probably the “sexiest area in the world.”
At the same meeting, Stubb gave much credit to Finland’s northern regions, saying the regions were doing excellent cross-border cooperation in the north.
