31 May 2004 07:58
Russian foreign minister to visit Norway
MOSCOW. May 31 (Interfax) - During his visit to Norway on June 2- 3, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will
discuss prospects for joint development of the mineral resources of the northern seas and issues relating to the
division of the Barents Sea.
"The emphasis will be on prospects for joint development of the shelves of the northern seas and the development
of cooperation in high- tech industries," Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko told reporters.
Lavrov is expected to examine the work of the Norwegian Hydro and Telenor concerns and visit a Norwegian oil platform
on the North Sea shelf.
According to an earlier report, Hydro suggested to Russia that underwater development of the Stockman gas deposit on
the Arctic shelf of the Barents Sea should be conducted. In October 2003, the Norwegian company signed an agreement with
Rosneft to do research on ways to develop the Stockman deposit.
The Stockman deposit was discovered in 1988, and is located on the Arctic shelf 560 km north of Murmansk.
"The meeting participants will discuss a number of pressing issues relating to bilateral relations, in
particular the division of the Barents Sea," Yakovenko said.
Russia and Norway declared a moratorium on the development and extraction of mineral resources in the southern part
of the Barents Sea in 1944, and have not yet divided jurisdiction over the area. [RU EEU EUROPE ASIA EMRG NO DIP VIO] av
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