Russia lacks laws to develop cross-border cooperation
The absence of a federal law on cross-border cooperation makes Russian border areas lag behind in their development compared to the country’s inner territories, says Yevgeny Nikora, speaker in the Murmansk regional Duma.
- If Russia had a federal law on cross-border cooperation, Murmansk Oblast could have won a lot, Nikora said at a meeting between politicians from Murmansk and the Norwegian neighbouring municipality Sør-Varanger, Murmansk based web site B-port.com reports.
Nikora is impressed with the results of the cross-border cooperation between Sør-Varanger and the Russian border municipality Pechenga.
Sør-Varanger and Pechenga have for over twenty years had joint projects within culture, education, health, sports and business. Last year a twin city agreement was concluded between Kirkenes and Nikel, as BarentsObserver reported.
The Schengen-treaty, which Norway is part of, opens up for twin city agreements as a way to strengthen cross-border cooperation between neighbouring cities along the Schengen border.
According to Pavel Sazhinov, Head of the Murmansk Duma’s Committee for Legislation, a federal law on cross-border cooperation is on its way. In November, Parliament hearings are to start on a law proposal from the Federal Council that has received positive reactions from both the Russian Government and president.
Murmansk Oblast will probably bring their remarks to the law proposal for the State Duma. Sazhinov claims the document lacks any descriptions on how regions and municipalities should finance projects across the border or how visa and customs regulations can be simplified.
Russian and Norwegian authorities are working on an agreement on visa-free travel for dwellers along the border between the two countries. The agreement could be ready by the end of the year, BarentsObserver reported.
