Viktor and Jens discuss border interaction
Flexible border crossings and developing of visa-free travel for near-border residences are key-topics when Norway’s Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg today meets with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.
Viktor Zubkov visits Oslo in connection with the 14th meeting of the Norwegian-Russian government commission for economic, industrial and scientific cooperation.
Last November, Norway and Russia signed a declaration on visa-free travel for parts of the inhabitants living less than 30 kilometers from each other’s border.
From the Norwegian side, the Governmental commission is headed by Minister of Trade and Industry, Trond Giske.
The only border crossing point between Norway and Russia, Storskog-BorisGleb, has experienced a boom in people and vehicles over the last year. The increase is believed to boost even more with the easier multi-visa regime for Russians from Murmansk and Arkhangelsk traveling to Norway.
Both Norway and Russia are working out plans for building new border stations and expand the opening hours of the border.
Read also: Zubkov: Cooperation with Norway will help to modernize Russian economy
The Norwegian-Russian Working Group for Interregional and Cross-Border Cooperation that was initiated after last year’s agreement on visa-free travel and near border cooperation has over the last three months worked out concrete projects for further development of cooperation between the regions.
RIA Novosti reports that a declaration on partnership for modernization, as well as a plan to intensify border interaction will be signed following the talks between Trade and Industry Minister Giske and First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov.
