Agreement on delimitation of Barents Sea already showing positive results
The agreement between Norway and Russia on delimitation of the Barents Sea implies huge possibilities for Russia and is already showing positive results, a leading Murmansk-based newspaper writes.
As BarentsObserver reported some Russian communities, especially within the fishery sector, have expressed concern that the agreement will end in Russian fishermen being forced out of the most fish-rich areas in the Arctic.
The major regional newspaper Murmanski Vestnik confronts these opinions and says that the agreement on delimitation will only bring positive effects for Russia and Norway. The paper also calls the agreement on visa-free travel a direct result of the Barents Sea agreement.
- The final division of the former disputed area gives huge possibilities for mutually beneficial activities, Murmanski Vestnik writes. – We must not forget that the agreement implies not only delimitation, but also cooperation. Both sides can now make use of the region’s rich resources, either alone or together through joint ventures.
Many Russian specialists are certain that this agreement will regulate the long-standing disputes between the two countries over fishing in the Barents Sea: the clear borders for jurisdiction will make the legal basis for fishing more clear and reduce the possibility for conflicts. The agreement will probably also speed up the process of establishing common and coordinated rules for fishing.
The land-based fish processing industry in Nortwest-Russia is also pleased that the dispute over the rich areas in the Barents Sea is over:
- The sheer fact that such an agreement has been entered is in itself a very positive event, says General Director of Nord-Vest Fish Company Valery Zimnitski to Murmanski Vestnik. He believes that any possible imperfections in the agreement can be fixed before ratification. – In any case, I believe that this is a step in the right direction, he adds.
Borderzone - the first fruit of the delimitation agreement
Murmanski Vestnik calls the agreement on visa-free travel for inhabitants in the Norwegian-Russian border area the first fruit of the Barents Sea agreement. Aleksander Orlioglo, Head of the local administration in Nikel, the closest Russian town to the Norwegian border, says that he and his Norwegian colleagues already have discussed concrete plans for extended cross-border activity.
One of the first steps to be taken is to prepare the ground for increased tourism from Kirkenes to Nikel. Orlioglo believes that more Norwegian tourists will bring Nikel extra, much needed incomes.
