Russia, Norway to cooperate in environmental security in the Barents Sea

28.04.2010 Russia and Norway will jointly work on environmental security in the Barents Sea; the Russian party assumed obligation to reduce pollutant emissions of nickel production in Murmansk region, reports ITAR-TASS.

In particular, the Russian party appreciates Norway's contribution to dismantling of decommissioned Russian nuclear submarines, building and reconstruction of waste interim waste storages at former Northern Fleet's base in Andreyev Bay, Murmansk region, said the two presidents in joint statement.

The parties confirm that nickel production waste in Pechenga district, Murmansk region cause concern and should be reduced down to the level safe for health and environment in the border area. In this connection, the Russian party will promote taking the requisite measures for waste reduction, underlined the leaders in the document.

The parties agreed to cooperate in order to receive true and fair view of pollution level, intensify and upgrade environmental monitoring in the border area.

The countries realize the importance of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the area of nuclear and radiation safety.

Russia and Norway emphasized further development of large-scale cooperation in environmental safety. The parties welcomed memorandum of understanding signed by Russian, Norwegian, and Finnish ministries of environment; the officials also agreed to develop greenbelt of Fennoscandia.

The presidents outlined the necessity to develop a joint environmental monitoring program over the Barents Sea.