"Time for a Norwegian-Russian settlement"
Since the early 1970s, Norway and Russia have negotiated over the delineation of the 175,000 square kilometer disputed zone in the Barents Sea. Now, it is time to send the dispute to the International Court of Justice in the Hague, a Norwegian expert says.
-It is time to try something new, Russia expert Kjell Dragnes from the Aftenposten newspaper wrote in a recent comment. Norway and Russian will not be able to find a compromise on the strategically important area in the Barents Sea, he argues.
Mr. Dragnes recommends the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg to bring up the issue when he meets with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow in May.
Stimulating cooperation
He believes the final delineation of the waters could give a boost to Norwegian-Russian bilateral cooperation in the High North, which will be in both countries’ interests. The zone is believed to have major hydrocarbon resources.
Norway and Russia started talks about the delineation of the area in 1974. Since then, the countries have failed to compromise about the zone, although significant parts of the zone is said to be agreed upon by the sides. While Norway claims the median-line principle, Russia demands that the zone is divided according to a sector-principle.
When former prime minister of Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik, met with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in 2002, the two sides expressed major confidence about progress in the issue. The Russian premier even highlighted that the delineation of the area should be completed “before we retire”.
Optimism, no results
Since then, several optimistic statements have been made from the Norwegian side, among them by Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre who last year confirmed that “we are in a good rhythm now”, and that a deal could come on the table even before production-start in the Shtokman project.
As BarentsObserver reported, he also said that the issue is on the agenda every time he meets with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov.
-It is natural that two good neighbours have settled borders both on land and at sea, the minister then underlined in a meeting in the premises of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. -Norway is ready to take the last steps in the process, Mr. Støre underlined.
On a later occasion, he also confirmed that the two sides have agreed on “the procedures for further negotiations on the delineation line”.
Also Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed optimism. -I am convinced that we will make progress in the negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the Kirkenes meeting.
To the Hague
The Norwegian positive attitude will not alone be enough, however. Kjell Dragnes believes a settlement in the International Court of Justice in the Hague is what is needed to solve the issue. He maintains that both countries highly value the role of the UN and that they should admit that they will not alone be able to agree on the delineation.
Norway has previously had four continental shelf cases handled by the Hague court, Aftenposten reports. The country lost the case on control over Greenland in 1933, but later won cases against the UK (1952), France (1957) and partly against Denmark (1993).
