Finland looks towards Barents Sea
The Finnish PM today met with high-ranking officials from Murmansk Oblast in a conference with focus on the Shtokman field. Meanwhile, a major Finnish delegation headed by the Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development prepares for a visit to the Norwegian Barents Sea coast.
Today’s conference in Helsinki offered in-depth information about the economic and industrial opportunities in northern Finland and in Murmansk Oblast. The conference programme included names like Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen and Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen, as well as several high-ranking officials and businessmen from Murmansk Oblast.
The conference can be seen as part of an increasing Finnish interest in the High North. This interest comes as growth in Murmansk Oblast picks pace and huge regional investments projects stand on the threshold, among them the Shtokman gas project.
With its long experience from cooperation with Russia, Finnish authorities are likely to seek industrial benefits from the developments in Murmansk Oblast.
At the same time, Finnish authorities have expressed increasing interest in the engagement in joint Nordic initiatives, among them with in security issues.
The Finnish interest also includes the Norwegian side in the Barents Sea. During his visit to the northern Norwegian town of Kirkenes in April, Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Paavo Väyrynen is likely to be invited to invest in both infrastructure and construction.
The Finnish visit to northern Norway was a main issue when Norwegian state secretary Annelene Svingen met with her Finnish counterpart Mikko Alkio in Helsinki yesterday, the Norwegian government website reports.
Read also:
Finland, Norway to discuss Barents Sea BarentsObserver, 6 February 2008
Stronger Russia spurs Nordic defence cooperation BarentsObserver, 25 January 2008
Norway, Finland - new dance partners in High North? BarentsObserver, 16 January 2008
