Hidden enemy of Russia: Norway. Norway map in Russian

The reason for the minister's admiration for Norway was reports that the stabilization fund of this northern European kingdom had reached $1 trillion. Can we catch up with Norway, how can we do it, and will this race be good for Russia? These and other questions were answered by AiF experts.

Cups and bottom

The similarity between Russia and Norway begins and ends with the presence of oil in the bowels of both countries. According to experts, in its handling of oil revenues, Norway differs not only from Russia, but also from other oil powers. “Unlike Saudi Arabia, Norway is not eating away this money and has managed to accumulate $1 trillion in its fund for future generations,” explains Director General of the National Energy Security Fund Konstantin Simonov. - This is 55-60 trillion rubles. The budget of Russia - 15 trillion rubles. If we had as much money as Norway, then the citizens of Russia could not pay taxes for 3 years.”

Russia also has its own "oil pocket" of $66.26 billion - the Stabilization Fund, divided in 2008 into the National Welfare Fund and the Reserve Fund (the latter officially ceased to exist on February 1, 2018). Both ours and the Norwegian funds were created in case of a fall in budget revenues. But Norway said from the very beginning that these are savings for future generations, who will have to live when hydrocarbon reserves run out. Another name for the fund is the State Pension Fund of Norway. In our country, only the National Welfare Fund has such a task.

“The accumulation of our sovereign funds, the already depleted Reserve and NWF, is not accumulation,” he believes economist Alexei Mikhailov. - Accumulation is when the collected funds are invested in something. In our country, everything is simply collected by the Central Bank. This is where it all ends. The Central Bank at least invests in gold and foreign exchange reserves, and the Ministry of Finance simply deposits money in the Bank of Russia, converting them only into dollars, and that's it. This is the destruction of our GDP.”

Norway uses its oil money to build new universities, invests it in the development of tourism infrastructure, medicine, in the production of equipment for oil production, as well as in many other high-tech industries, including the production of weapons (mainly sea and coastal missile systems and even small arms).

It seems that in Russia the funds of the National Welfare Fund were also invested in "megaprojects". However, in Norway, no more than 3% can be taken from the "pod", and then from the money that is returned to the fund as a profit from its investments. In Russia, funds from funds were used to patch up budget holes and finance projects important to the government. “Our NWF is scheduled to end in 2020,” predicts senior expert at the Institute for Economic Policy named after E. Gaidar Sergei Zhavoronkov. “At the same time, the FNB of the Russian Federation is mainly mortified investments in bonds, including the US government debt.”

Illiquid assets in the NWF account for 35%, but targeted spending on pensions, for which the NWF was created, is minimal.

mother oil

Another difference between our countries is the attitude towards the "industry-breadwinner", oil and gas experts believe. “We need to stop blaming our oil and gas complex,” K. Simonov is convinced. - Here in Norway, no one says that, they say, "we need to jump off the oil needle." It is necessary not to engage in diversification for the sake of diversification, but to think about how oil and gas can grow in other sectors: mechanical engineering, pipe production, polymers…”

The kingdom's oil is produced on the shelf in the most difficult conditions - more severe than in Russia as a whole. Therefore, the cost of its production is about 1.5 times higher. In Russia, oil is produced 5 times more, but our population is 147 million against the Norwegian 5-plus million. So, in terms of per person, Norway has 4.5 times more oil. In general, there are too many of us for such a volume of oil production. There is not enough oil pie for all fellow citizens for a truly quality life. At the same time, we have more oil per person than in the United States and China, which are much more powerful than us economically.

“We need to focus on what we are strong in, and recognize that the oil and gas complex is not archaic at all,” K. Simonov sums up. - These are advanced technologies of remote control, inclined drilling, offshore production, "Internet of Things". The example of Norway shows that with a competent approach, the fuel and energy complex will certainly become the locomotive of the economy.”

Our northern neighbor manages to barely feel the impact of falling oil prices on the economy. “During the last drop in oil prices, the Norwegian krone also fell slightly, but there was no collapse,” recalls Director of the Institute for Strategic Analysis Igor Nikolaev. - There was no drop in production. In 2014-2016 the Norwegian economy grew by 1-2%. We went negative, and the ruble collapsed. Let me remind you that we then pursued a conservative financial policy, accumulative, but it still did not save us from the crisis. Norway was saved by civil institutions - antitrust policy, protection of property rights ... It was they who kept the economy afloat.

“We need to go the Norwegian way in the sense that we should prioritize the social sphere, education and healthcare,” says S. Zhavoronkov. - Now Russia spends 40% on all this, taking into account pension costs. Norway - more than half of the state budget. At the same time, Norway's military budget is $6 billion, Russia's military budget is $60 billion. Norway's per capita GDP is $70,000 per person, and Russia's per capita GDP is $9,000.”

“Although there is a monarchy, it is a socialist country. In Norway, education and health care are free and at the highest level. They have the most advanced technologies that allow the country to efficiently engage in oil production. Men have been living there for 80 years, women for 84 years,” lists the pros Dean of the Higher School of Economics, RANEPA Sergey Kalendzhyan. But their taxes are also impressive - after all, the oil rent is not enough for everything. The base tax rate is 23% per annum (against our 13%) plus a progressive tax scale (up to +15%), for a total of 40%.

“The most important difference between Norway and Russia is the level of managers,” says political scientist Dmitry Zhuravlev. “The fact that our finance minister compares absolutely incomparable countries says a lot about the level of his intellect and education.”

First of all, it is necessary to start with the fact that the foundations of relations between Norway and Russia are laid down by history and geography. Geographically, Norway stretches for 2,650 km along the western and northern coasts of Scandinavia, its territory adjacent to this coast is 325,000 sq. km, and also includes the Svalbard archipelago with Bear Island, located approximately between 74 and 81 degrees north latitude and approximately 6300 sq. km, and the Jan Mayen peninsula with an area of ​​380 sq. km, located between Iceland and Greenland. In addition, Norway has declared sovereignty over Queen Maud Land in Antarctica, over Peter I Island off the west coast of Antarctica, and over Bouvet Island, located between South Africa and Antarctica outside the scope of the Antarctic Treaty.

The land border between Norway and Russia is no more than 196 km. However, this is the oldest and most stable Russian border, which has always been the border of the world. For centuries, the territories in the Far North were not sufficiently populated, and the main concerns of the country were reduced to the collection of taxes on the fur trade. For almost all the centuries, the territories in the North were not delimited, and the overlapping claims of the kings of Norway and Sweden and the Russian tsars were combined with the tolerant approach of all interested parties, with the possible exception of taxpayers, whose opinion no one was interested in.

After the delimitation in 1751 of the border between Sweden (which included Finland) and Norway, the status of the remaining northernmost section, where the Norwegian territory adjoins the Russian, was determined by the Treaty of 1826. Since then, this contract has not been amended. The peace in this area was broken only twice: in 1941, when German troops attacked Russia, and in 1944, when the Red Army crossed the border to drive off the occupying army and liberate eastern Finnmark, the northernmost region of Norway.

The Russian-Norwegian border in North Kallot (established in 1826) during the Russian Empire was the only direct border of Russia with a Western European state, without a "buffer zone" from Eastern or Central European countries. In the notes of Russian travelers of the late 19th century, it was repeatedly noted that the contrast between Russia and the West is felt on the Russian-Norwegian border more than anywhere else. However, relations with Norway, both at the interstate and interpersonal level, have been surprisingly amicable. This is most likely due to special historical conditions: Pomeranian trade flourished in the 19th century. Every summer 300-400 Russian ships went to Northern Norway to change fish from the Saami and Norwegians. In return, they brought grain and wood products, which were in short supply in Northern Norway. The Pomeranian trade gave rise to its own pidgin language - the so-called "Russenorsk" with a simplified grammar and a limited vocabulary. Russenorsk differs significantly from other pidgin languages ​​in Asia and Africa, where the main vocabulary was formed on the basis of the metropolitan language - English, French or Dutch. Russenorsk has an approximately equal number of Russian and Norwegian words, which indicates that Russians and Norwegians were socially equal partners.

At the state level, relations between Russia and Norway have not escaped controversy. So, for example, there was a stable Swedish-Norwegian idea of ​​the Russian threat to Norway. There was a corresponding belief in certain circles in Russia that there was a "Norwegian threat" to northern Russia in the form of economic Norwegian expansion to the north. The basis for this was the active fishing and commercial activities of Norwegians in Russian territorial waters and the beginning of Norwegian colonization on the coast of Murman. However, these contradictions did not lead to insoluble conflicts. The "Norwegian threat" to Northern Russia was obviously exaggerated, and the Russian government did not attach serious importance to this idea.

The "Russian threat", on the other hand, was taken seriously by political and military circles in Sweden and Norway, especially in Sweden. Relations between Sweden and Russia in historical terms were more tense, and in the 19th century the "Russian threat" was actively used in the struggle to preserve the union state of Sweden-Norway. The Swedish side argued that if Norway left the union, then Russia would take the opportunity to get ice-free ports in Northern Norway. In Norway, it was increasingly understood that the Swedes were using the "Russian threat" to keep the Norwegians in the alliance, and without sufficient reason. Fear of Russia began to decline, and this contributed to a more realistic view of things, especially since historical research confirms that the Russian Empire had no plans to expand at the expense of Norway.

At the same time, it is quite clear that the collapse of the Swedish-Norwegian union state was in the interests of Russia's foreign policy. The Russian authorities were wary of the so-called pro-German orientation of the Swedish-Norwegian foreign policy. The collapse of the union state would lead to a weakening of the pro-German direction and would reduce the possibility of a future neutral Scandinavian defensive or neutral association, which could increase the risk of closing the Danish straits for Russian military ships, which, in turn, would have negative consequences for Russia in the event war. All these circumstances largely contributed to the fact that on October 29, 1905, Russia was the first of the European superpowers to recognize the "new Norway" as an independent state.

An important element of our relationship is
Arctic orientation of both countries. Over time, it changed, and the routes of Norwegian and Russian fishing, sealing and hunting, sealing and whale hunting moved. By 1870, there was mostly Norwegian activity in the Svalbard archipelago, and it became necessary to ensure law and order on these islands, which were considered not under the jurisdiction of any country (no man's land). Between 1871 and World War I, Norway raised the issue of establishing orderly power in front of Russia and in front of a wider range of states, but no solution was reached.

The Versailles Peace Conference decided to place the archipelago under the "full and absolute sovereignty of Norway" "in accordance with the terms" of the Svalbard Treaty of February 9, 1920.

The terms of this agreement mainly provide for the equality of ships and citizens of the participating countries in terms of fishing and hunting, mining and other profitable activities on land and in territorial waters, as well as restrictions on taxation. Further, Norway pledged to refrain from establishing or permitting the establishment of any naval base or the building of defensive fortifications in this archipelago "which can never be used for military purposes."

Russia made a concession in regulating the ownership of Svalbard by the treaty, and in 1925 Norway entered into administration of this territory as an integral part of the kingdom under the ancient name of Svalbard. Russia joined the treaty in 1935.

By this time, a Russian coal company was already operating on the territory of the archipelago. Arktikugol.

In 1944, the Soviet government proposed changing the status of Svalbard, requesting that Bear Island be ceded to its jurisdiction and proposing that Norway and the USSR jointly manage the rest of the territory as a condominium. After careful study, Norway rejected this proposal, and Moscow no longer returned to its initiative to revise the 1920 Treaty. However, this initiative had a long-term effect: from now on, Norway considered various proposals or arguments put forward by the Soviet side with an eye on it. The Norwegians sincerely feared the possibility of a new attempt to question the foundations of Norwegian sovereignty over the archipelago or gain unilateral advantages for "Arktikugol" in comparison with other states-participants of the agreement.

In the early 1970s, oil exploration on Svalbard acquired priority interest from Arktikugol and from Norwegian and Western oil companies. At the same time, considerations of environmental protection gave rise to plans for the creation of national parks, nature protection zones and the adoption of general measures to protect the environment. Svalbard was no longer a distant point in the Arctic, but part of modern Norway, which caused growing public attention to it. The local administration received additional resources, and the governor of the archipelago extended his authority throughout its territory. New demands from the administration were perceived "Arktikugol" as interference in its activities, which led to numerous frictions. For the most part, these difficulties are irrelevant today.

Another discussion continues. In Norway's view, the provisions of the 1920 Treaty should be interpreted strictly in their text. The rights granted to the parties to the treaty and their companies stem from the specific terms of the treaty, that is, they relate to the land and territorial waters around the islands. Thus, these rights do not extend to the continental shelf or beyond the territorial sea. This is in line with the traditional canons of the tract vykki agreements provided for by international pr avom at the time when the treaty was concluded in 1920, and at the time of the accession of the Soviet Union to it. Russia has recorded its disagreement with the Norwegian approach both in relation to the continental shelf and in relation to the fish protection zone around Svalbard introduced in 1977. Other parties to the 1920 Treaty are of a similar opinion or reserve their position.

With regard to fisheries, close cooperation between Norway and Russia has made it possible in practice to overcome differences in the interpretation of the treaty. As far as the continental shelf is concerned, Norway assumes that, in practical terms, the Svalbard Mining Code is completely unsuitable for offshore production and that oil companies will ultimately prefer to operate under the protection of the legal regime that applies to the Norwegian continental shelf as a whole.

Norwegian and Russian settlements on Svalbard continue to maintain harmonious relations. Contacts between them are frequent and spontaneous. When tragedy strikes, as happened in August 1996 when a Russian passenger plane crashed near Longyearbyen, the sense of unity amid isolation and hardship is deep and strong. During the rescue and evacuation operations, as well as during the hard work of identifying the bodies of the dead, the Norwegian, Russian, as well as Ukrainian authorities were able to work in close cooperation.

Norway repaid the prompt recognition of its independence by Russia in 1905 by being one of the first Western countries to recognize, after the October Revolution, the Soviet government in 1924 as the legitimate government of Russia, and was also one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Russian Federation in 1991 The period between these events is characterized by the belonging of the two countries to different ideological camps, and later by the conditions of the Cold War, which imposed many restrictions on the development of bilateral relations

Norway's economic activity in Russia is associated with great risk and major problems. Such problems include the following:

- public administration is ineffective,

— the legal and legal framework, including tax legislation, is too unstable,

- public administration and law enforcement apparatus only to a small extent inspire confidence and guarantee legal protection,

- Inflation can rise significantly

- the market functions too poorly in conditions when the old system of commodity exchange is disintegrating,

- the banking system, in terms of servicing settlements and providing loans, is poorly developed,

- there is a shortage of own capital,

- too underdeveloped public services and infrastructure,

- there are big differences between Western and Eastern ideas about entrepreneurial activity,

- there are contradictions in the competence and ambiguity as to who is the owner of the resources - republics or regions, etc.

For the Norwegian side, there are also additional difficulties associated with the traditional orientation of the economy towards the West. Given the current situation, cooperation with Russia requires long preparations and deep knowledge of local conditions. There is a need to increase the level of knowledge of political, economic, linguistic and cultural relations on the part of Norwegian business operators and government authorities.

One of the real touchstones in the development of Barents cooperation will be the removal of barriers to trade in the region and work to stimulate trade and economic cooperation. This is not only about working out major cooperation projects between central and regional government bodies, but about providing economic ties and human contacts with opportunities and space for development.

There are big differences between Russian and Norwegian laws and regulations and it is necessary to build up knowledge and understanding of each other's legal systems. There is also a lot of work to be done in terms of expanding the network of agreements on permits, visas, invitations to work, etc. It is necessary to develop reasonable solutions regarding the health of Norwegians in Russia and Russians in Norway, the functioning of rescue services, insurance and other things.

In general, the above problems that Norwegian entrepreneurs face in Russia make their activity difficult, costly and risky. The Norwegian authorities, through the Action Program for Eastern Europe, have allocated relatively large funds. Priority is given to projects in Northwestern Russia.

Geographically, the territories of Norway and Russia form the coast of the Barents Sea, located between their adjacent areas of continental land, the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard (Spitsbergen), the Russian archipelagos of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya. Russian fishermen usually fished off the Norwegian coast, and merchants called at Norwegian ports to exchange fish for grain and flour (this practice became known as "Pomor" trade, and even a special dialect was used here, consisting of elements of Germanic, Norwegian and Russian languages) .

Norwegian seal, whale and animal hunters organized expeditions to Svalbard and the eastern part of the Barents Sea, as well as to Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya. Since the end of the 17th century, Russian hunters from the stately northern monasteries sailed to Svalbard, but these expeditions then became the rarest and completely stopped in the middle of the 19th century. At the end of the same century, settlers from Norway, in the hope of a better life, began to settle in the rarest villages on the coast of the Kola Peninsula - the Russian authorities welcomed this fact as an opportunity to strengthen the economy of this sparsely populated area.

The geographic factor also means that both Norway and Russia had strategic interests tied to their overlapping territories. These strategic interests are quite different, since Russia is - and will continue to be - a great power with large human and natural resources, a significant conventional military, and one of the most impressive strategic nuclear capabilities in the world. Norway, on the other hand, is a small country, neither willing nor able to carry out any military policy outside its own borders. Adhering to the fundamental principle of a peace-loving approach to international relations, Norway maintains a modest military structure dedicated solely to self-defence and to participation in international peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance operations.

In the period between the establishment of Finland's independence and the beginning of the 2nd World War, there was no tension in the border areas between Norway, Finland and Russia. After the war, the situation changed: Finland lost Petsamo, and Norway and Russia again began to border on each other; the unity of the allies during the war was replaced by confrontation and the state of the cold war; Norway became one of the founding countries of NATO; with the creation of a nuclear weapon and the expansion of the Soviet Northern Fleet, the Kola Peninsula turned into the base of one of the world's largest military fleets and the location of a large arsenal of nuclear weapons, as well as the storage of a mass of spent nuclear fuel from warships and icebreakers and other nuclear waste.

Norway contributed to efforts to reduce tensions by adopting a policy of limited autonomous deterrence regarding military activity on Norwegian territory: already in February 1949, that is, even before the country joined NATO, the Norwegian government informed the Soviet Union that it did not will become a party to any contract that would include an obligation on the part of Norway to establish bases for the armed forces of foreign countries, unless Norway becomes the object of attack or the danger of attack. Norway later declared that, under the same conditions, nuclear weapons would not be placed on Norwegian territory. Norway also has a policy that NATO military and air exercises should not take place closer than five hundred kilometers from Russian territory and that excludes the movement of foreign military units near the border. In connection with the end of the Cold War, these restrictions have been modified to a certain extent, but their main provisions have been preserved.

Discussions are ongoing between Russia and NATO member countries on the future configuration of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and on forms of cooperation between NATO and Russia.

2. STATUS OF MODERN RELATIONS OF NORWAY WITH RUSSIA

Norway and Russia often meet face to face, but broad international contacts and international regional cooperation also play an important role. Cooperation in the Barents region enjoys a special priority for Norway. Norway and Russia also cooperate within the framework of international organizations. Current examples are NATO, where Norway is actively involved in the alliance's cooperation program with Russia, and the United Nations, especially during the Norwegian Security Council membership in 2001-2002. Russia is an important partner both in the Council of Europe and in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Council of the Baltic Sea States – Norway and Russia take an active part in cooperation within the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States together with other states of the region. Norwegian priorities are energy, economic cooperation, democracy development, health and public safety.

Northern Dimension of the European Union - c The purpose of this cooperation is to strengthen ties between the European Union and the Nordic countries that are not currently part of the Union, including Norway and Russia. Norway, among other things, pays great attention in this regard to cooperation in the field of environmental protection and nuclear safety.

Arctic Council - h The members of the organization are the Nordic countries, the USA, Canada, Russia and representatives of indigenous peoples. The purpose of the Council is to implement and coordinate cooperation between the Arctic countries, especially in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Nordic Council of Ministers - R The development of democracy in the northern region is the main topic of cooperation here. Within the framework of the organization, a fund has also been established to finance environmental projects within the framework of cooperation in the Barents Region and the Council of the Baltic Sea States.

Active neighborhood - with 1992 Norway supports the democratic transformation in Russia and the transition to a market economy through annual allocations through the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the implementation of Russian-Norwegian cooperation projects. The allocation is NOK 100-150 million per year. Many of the areas mentioned in this brochure, such as health care, the environment and culture, receive funds from this budget. Specific examples of joint projects include the fight against tuberculosis, veterinary cooperation in fish farming, the development of environmentally friendly production methods in industry, cooperation in the field of execution of sentences (places of detention), cooperation at the level of administrative-territorial units, the construction of energy saving centers, cooperation in the field of science, women's conferences and seminars for journalists.

In the reform process that Russia has been in since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the implementation of these projects has contributed to building an independent civil society. For example, the creation in Russia of a functional health care system and a social welfare system covering all segments of the population is crucial to stability and civil security in the region.

Collaboration in various projects has also contributed to the establishment of a network of contacts that did not exist 10 years ago. Today, there are close Russian-Norwegian ties at all levels, from authorities to interpersonal contacts. The border, which was hermetically sealed in the recent past, is today crossed in both directions by a large number of Norwegians and Russians engaged in various types of bilateral cooperation. Vigorous activity is a normal phenomenon for neighboring peoples.

In 2003, the turnover of Russian-Norwegian trade exceeded $1 billion. In 2004, the trade turnover exceeded $1.5 billion. In 2004, the volume of Russian exports to Norway increased by 17.4%. and compared with 2003 and amounted to 861 million dollars. In 2006, the volume of Russian exports amounted to 726 million dollars, imports - 323 million dollars.

In the Norwegian trade turnover, the share of Russian goods is about 1.5%.

The volume of trade turnover between Russia and Norway in 2006 amounted to 2 billion 117 million US dollars (an increase of 28.5% compared to 2004), doubling the volume of trade turnover in 2002, which is explained by mainly by the growth in deliveries to the Norwegian market in recent years of chemical products, petroleum products, non-ferrous metals, machinery and equipment, finished products.

Export of goods to Norway in 2006 amounted to 1 billion 297 million US dollars (an increase of 13.8% compared to 2005), having exceeded the level of 2003 by 1.8 times.

In the structure of Russian exports to Norway, there are mainly primary processed raw materials, chemical products, and non-ferrous metals.

The structure of Russian exports is dominated by non-ferrous metallurgy products, which account for 40%. This is followed by fish and seafood (20%) and crude oil (10%). In recent years, in the structure of exports, there has been an increase in the export of high-tech equipment. Thus, following the results of 2006, this growth amounted to 42%.

Fisheries emerge as a central area for the implementation of cooperation projects. In the structure of imports from Norway, 70% of the turnover falls on fish and seafood.

Large deliveries of Russian cod by Norwegian fisheries companies to fish processing enterprises have made it possible to establish important links between them. Norwegian companies also have extensive experience in the supply of equipment for the fishing fleet, as well as in other areas of production. The reorganization in Russia of the former state-owned fisheries companies and collective farms has pushed the Norwegian and Russian sides to a very gratifying and beneficial cooperation for both sides.

In 2006, the export of fresh salmon increased by 22.6 million kroons and reached the level of 40 million kroons. The total export value of trout was 15.9 million kroons, an increase of 10 million kroons.

Energy is another area that is marked by dynamism and in which the Norwegian economy is particularly perverse. As you know, Russia is experiencing a great need to develop its energy sector in order to achieve greater production efficiency. There is a large untapped potential in the oil and gas industry in Northwest Russia that will require significant expertise, investment and equipment supplies to unlock. There are also major challenges in the field of power supply, making markets more efficient, technical improvement and energy savings.

Norway has a very competitive offshore industry. This applies to enterprises in the field of both shipping and shipbuilding, as well as the supply of equipment, and research. There must be a good basis for economic cooperation between these industries of the two countries.

In 2006, for practically all groups of goods (except food products and non-food raw materials), Russian exports to Norway significantly exceeded the volumes of 2005. For such items as engineering products, vehicles and equipment, growth in 2006 compared to 2005 was amounted to 15.8%, and various finished products - by 18.3%. Non-commodity exports of Russian products in 2006 amounted to 434 million US dollars, an increase of 44.7% compared to 2005, including the growth of machinery, equipment and vehicles amounted to 115.2%.

In 2006, on orders from Norwegian shipowners, Sevmash continued building 8 special vessels for the transport of chemicals and hazardous substances, and three cargo ships at the Volgograd Shipyard. In addition, the construction of 2 icebreakers began at the Baltic Shipyard (St. Petersburg). The Norwegian company Aker Kverner will supply special equipment for completing icebreakers in the amount of $6.5 million.

Imports from Norway increased by 61% and amounted to USD 820 million. A significant increase in imports occurred mainly due to an increase in supplies of fish and fish products to the Russian market (the share in total imports amounted to 70.3%).

The positive balance in favor of Russia amounted to 476.4 million US dollars.

The proximity of Norway to the north-west of Russia, the similarity of climatic and soil conditions create favorable prerequisites for the development of cooperation in the field of agriculture. The agro-industrial complex of Northern Norway has experience that can be very useful for north-western Russia, for example, with regard to the processing, processing and distribution of agricultural products.

Norwegian companies are well positioned in important sectors such as construction, mining and mineral extraction, and not least in computer science.

The strength of the Norwegian economy is its ability to combine many functions in separate industries, which have a kind of enterprise complexes that complement each other in production, service, financing, insurance, marketing, research and development. The Norwegian economy, with such complexes, especially in the fields of energy, fisheries, shipping, shipbuilding, metallurgy and wood processing, has a particularly advantageous starting position in terms of constructively promoting transformation and making the Russian economy more efficient.

Today, 130 Norwegian companies are successfully operating in Russia. He noted that for many of them, Russia is a "land of opportunity." The value of promising cooperation projects for the next three years is estimated at $1-1.2 billion.

Currently, Russia is cooperating with Norway in various areas. And although in the crisis year of 2009 the trade turnover between Russia and Norway has seriously decreased (by 21%), in 2010 there is an increase (almost 50%).

One of the main areas of modern relations between Russia and Norway is energy. The main energy project is the development of the Shtokman field in the Barents Sea. The gas will be jointly produced by Norwegian Statoil, French Total and Russian Gazprom.

Norway is interested in deposits in Yamal and seeks economic cooperation with the Russian company LUKOIL on the markets of third countries.

In April 2010, during the visit of the President of Russia D.A. Medvedev to Norway managed for the first time in 30 years to agree on the general parameters of fishing in the Barents Sea.

As a result of the visit, a Joint Statement and 8 intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, education and science, ecology, as well as cooperation in law enforcement structures were signed.

In addition, the following agreements were established.

Firstly, Russians living in a 30-kilometer zone along the Russian-Norwegian border will be able to visit Norway without issuing visas.

Secondly, Norway and Russia decided to define maritime boundaries in the Barents Sea for the first time in 40 years. The disputed territories (175 square kilometers) are divided into two equal parts. This is a problem that complicated Russian-Norwegian relations.

The principles were determined according to which Russia and Norway will jointly use the Barents Sea: do not interfere with each other, share space and cooperate.

Currently, military cooperation between Russia and Norway continues. For example, in Bergen on June 4, 2010, the Norwegian-Russian exercise Pomor 2010 started. For the first time since 1994, the Russian and Norwegian armed forces will hold such a large-scale exercise.

The purpose of the exercise will be the joint development of solutions to common problems in the western polar region. From the Norwegian side, the frigate Otto Sverdrup, the coast guard ship Nordkapp, P3C coastal patrol aircraft and F-16 fighters will take part. From the Russian side, the Severomorsk BOD, Il-38 anti-submarine patrol aircraft and SU-33 fighters will take part. Together, the vessels will cover the distance from Bergen to Severomorsk, during the voyage there will be boarding team exercises, signals exercises, search and rescue exercises and shooting exercises. The exercises will demonstrate the possibilities of cooperation between the Russian and Norwegian armed forces in carrying out mission-solving operations in the northern regions.

Russia and Norway are the largest producers and exporters of oil and gas in Europe, and are among the largest suppliers of oil and gas in the world.

The Norwegian authorities are in contact with Russia in the energy sector, mainly for the following purposes:

— to strengthen and develop dialogue in the field of energy policy;

— achieve the creation of clear, stable and predictable framework conditions for activities, the prerequisite of which is the protection of the environment;

- to pay the main attention to the investment climate in the energy sector and the country's common interests in international issues of the electric power industry;

— protect the interests of Norwegian oil companies and Norwegian suppliers;

— emphasize the benefits of international participation in oil and gas activities;

— to develop cooperation in the field of pre-emergency preparedness in the oil industry.

Norway and Russia have a common pre-emergency plan and conduct joint exercises to prevent oil pollution in the Barents Sea. The Russian authorities are invited to contribute to the work of an overall resource management plan with overall consideration of the environment, fisheries, oil activities and maritime transport. Environmental observation and mapping are also important tasks.

3. PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN NORWAY AND RUSSIA

In the last decade, the region of Northern Europe, against the backdrop of rapid general changes on the European continent, has a relatively high degree of stability. Accordingly, the border of Russia in the northwest remains the most calm. This is largely the result of the constructive and balanced policy of most of the Nordic countries, their sincere desire to interact with the Russian Federation on a wide range of issues.

The states of this region today by themselves practically pose neither a military nor an economic threat to Russia's interests. In recent years, in these countries, the fears and negative moods that previously had regarding the USSR have almost disappeared. In many ways, this is the merit of those politicians in the countries of the North of Europe who understood the need to finally abandon the approaches of the times of bloc confrontation. With all the countries of the North of Europe there is a modern contractual framework that meets the mutual interests of the parties.

Within the framework of cooperation with the Nordic countries, cooperation in the energy sector is of increasing importance for Russia. First of all, steps should be taken to attract additional investment in the oil and gas sector for the development, in particular, of the Kharyaginskoye field and the Timan-Pechersk project.

The development of the Shtokman gas condensate field in the Barents Sea, carried out by Gazprom jointly with the Norwegian Norsk Hydro and other companies, requires special attention. Both Russia and Norway stand to gain significantly in the long run if gas takes a more significant position in the European energy market. Both countries are also objectively interested in coordinating pricing policies in the energy sector.

The idea of ​​creating technopolises in the border areas focused on the development of new promising technologies in the field of telecommunications and communications deserves careful consideration.

A qualitatively new arrangement of the Russian-Finnish border along its entire length (1300 km), which is also the border with the European Union, as well as borders with Norway, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland, including, in particular, the opening of new, modern checkpoints , should provide an opportunity to significantly intensify economic ties and unite the territory from the Barents to the Baltic Sea into a single economic space with serious potential.

The situation with Norway as a member of NATO sharing a border with Russia and considered (as before) an important element of NATO's military strategy towards Russia is more complicated. Norway's renunciation of the obligation to prevent military activity involving foreign troops east of the 24th meridian in the region of Finnmark cannot contribute to the strengthening of security and confidence. As a result, under the guise of activities within the framework of the Partnership for Peace program, military exercises began to be held directly at the border of the Russian Federation. Russia's decision to refrain from participating in the Barents Peace 99 exercise was a logical political move.

Russia is justifiably concerned about the operational use of a multifunctional radar station moved from the United States to the Norwegian village of Varde, which can be used to detect and reconnaissance launches of Russian land-based and sea-based ballistic missiles. It is clear that this station is considered by the US military leadership as an important element in the plans to build a new missile defense system.

The intensive deployment of stations for monitoring the space situation and intercepting information from artificial Earth satellites on Svalbard, as well as plans to deploy powerful means of radar and electronic surveillance, control and communications in the archipelago by 2002, raise questions. Russia cannot but be concerned that in the event the United States withdraws from the ABM Treaty, these facilities will become an essential element in America's creation of its own national missile defense system.
HISTORY OF NATURAL SCIENCE 2014-08-15

Norway - country in northern Europe, the main part of which is located in the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

The territory of Norway includes approximately 50,000 small coastal islands, as well as the large Svalbard archipelago, Bear Islands and Jan Mayen Islands in the Arctic Ocean. On a detailed map of Norway, you can find the country's border with three states: with Sweden in the east, with Finland and Russia in the northeast.

Norway is one of the largest oil and gas producers in Europe and a global exporter of timber, titanium and fish.

Norway on the world map: geography, nature and climate

Norway on the world map is located in Northern Europe, in the west of the Scandinavian Peninsula, washed by the waters of the North Sea from the south, Norwegian - from the west, Barents - from the north.

Minerals

The country has large reserves of oil and gas, iron, titanium and zinc. In smaller volumes, there are also deposits of lead, copper, coal, apatite and graphite.

Relief

Most of the territory of Norway is occupied by the Scandinavian mountains with numerous fjords (bays deep into the land with rocky shores) and valleys. The northern and southern part of the country is occupied by elevated plateaus - fjelds - Yuste-dalsbrs, Telemark, Yutunheimen, in the last of which the highest point of Norway is located - Mount Gallhøpiggen (2470 m).

Hydrography

The river network of Norway is dense, and the rivers themselves are full-flowing, deep and narrow. The rivers are fed by snow-rain or ice. The longest river is the Glomma (619 km), flowing through the east of the country.

About 4 thousand Norwegian lakes occupy 5% of the country's area and are located mainly in southern Norway. The largest lake is Mjosa with an area of ​​365 km 2, located on the map of Norway in Russian in the southern part of the country, 100 km north of the capital Oslo.

There are almost 900 glaciers on the territory of the country, most of which also occur in Southern Norway.

Flora and fauna

Norwegian soils are not very fertile. The most common types of soils are: mountain-meadow, low-humus podzols, podzols, brown, marsh gleyed and others.

There are mixed broad-leaved forests, taiga and coniferous-broad-leaved forests, mountain forests and tundra vegetation in the country. Forests occupy 27% of the country's territory, they grow: oaks, beeches, ash trees, birches, spruces, mosses and lichens.

Lynxes, deer, martens, ermines, squirrels, bears, hares and foxes are found in local forests and tundra; and among the representatives of birds - capercaillie, black grouse, gulls, geese and other birds. Fish of the salmon family live in fresh water, and herring, mackerel, and cod live in sea water.

The protected areas of Norway include 37 national parks, several nature reserves and about a hundred wildlife preserves.

Climate

Norway's climate varies from mild temperate maritime in the south, temperate continental in the center, to subarctic in the very north of the country. The climate of Norway is significantly softened under the influence of the warm currents of the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, characterized by mild, for such high latitudes, winters and cool summers. The average January temperature in Norway ranges from -17°C in the far north to +2°C in the southwest of the country, while the average July temperatures range from +7°C to +17°C respectively. Cloudy and rainy weather prevails in Norway - approximately 800 - 1200 mm of precipitation falls annually.

Map of Norway with cities. Administrative division of the country

Norway consists of 19 counties (provinces, counties), and is also unofficially divided into 5 regions:

• Southern Norway,
• Northern Norway,
• Western Norway,
• Eastern Norway,
• Central Norway.

Largest cities

• Oslo- the capital and most important city of Norway, located on the banks of the Oslo Fjord, in the southeast of the country. Oslo is a major seaport and center of the oil and gas industry, as well as one of the most expensive cities in the world. Akershus Fortress, built in the 13th century, is the main attraction of the city. Oslo is home to 673,000 people.
• Bergen- the second largest city in the country, which on the map of Norway with cities in Russian can be found in its western part. Being on the coast of the North Sea determines the main specialization of the city - maritime business and maritime research (oceanography). The population of Bergen is 273 thousand people.
• Alesund- Another city on the west coast of Norway, the largest center of the country's fishing industry. Three kilometers west of Alesund, there is a large aquarium, which clearly shows the life of the marine inhabitants of the North Atlantic in the most natural conditions - cod, eels, halibut and other fish - because the water comes directly from the sea. The population of the city is 42 thousand people.

I. "Bad" Russians

"Russians can only drink vodka, sleep, not work."

This is the reaction of Geir Thorbjørnsen, the owner of ZAO BR Electronics, to the results of an inspection of his company by the State Labor Inspectorate. The Norwegian enterprise is located in Murmansk on the street. Sverdlova, house 39. Head office in Kirkenes (Norway). Engaged in the production of electrical and radio elements. BR Electronics is a subsidiary of the Kirkenes company Barel AS. The founder and director of which is the same Geir Thorbjornsen.

The irritation of the Norwegian businessman was caused by the violations revealed by the inspection: a 10-hour working day for women, harmful working conditions. The enterprise did not comply with the Law of the Russian Federation “On State Guarantees and Compensations for Persons Working and Living in the Far North and Equivalent Areas”. Workers are dissatisfied with low wages: the average is from 500 to 600 dollars a month. (For comparison: from Russian businessmen who recently tried to buy a Norwegian enterprise, the authorities of this country demanded a minimum wage for workers of more than 4 thousand dollars a month).

Geir Thorbjørnsen often sends Murmansk residents to "work out" in his office in Kirkenes. They live there in the attic of a local pizzeria, which was adapted for "guests" from Russia. Everything is formalized as "study" in Norway. To avoid unnecessary labor costs.

The Norwegian businessman treats Murmansk residents with undisguised contempt. As Europeans to representatives of Africa in the period of colonization.

The insulting remarks of the owner of BR Electronics against the Russians are not accidental. For Russia, the last decades of contacts with Norway are associated with enormous losses, a compensable loss of maritime territory. The Murmansk region, like the entire region of the Barents Sea, has now been turned into a service zone for the selfish interests of Norway. In the press, this is called a successful collaboration.

Ole Arvid Misund, director of the Institute of Marine Research (Norway), speaks about the “successful” cooperation between Norway and Russia. Even a published book is dedicated to this: “The Barents Sea - ecosystem, resources, regulation”.

One should agree with the Norwegian scientist with a reservation. We can talk about success only for one side - Norway. Its economic expansion is underway with catastrophic consequences for Russia.

It is ridiculous to read the information that in the first 9 months of 2011 Norway invested 17.8 million dollars in the Murmansk region. When the loss of hydrocarbons for future generations of Russians located in the fields of the shelf that ceded to Norway (under the agreement of 2010) amount to 5 billion tons of recoverable resources in terms of oil. And the annual loss of fish resources for Russian fishermen is about 150 thousand tons. This does not include lost jobs.

Norwegian investments have nothing to do with the interests of the Murmansk people. They do not solve the problem of employment. The number of employees in Norwegian enterprises is limited to a few dozen people or less. An example is OLEN BETON LLC. "?len Betong AS is the leading concrete producer in Norway", - the company about itself.

Environmentally harmful production for the needs of their country "Norwegian friends" create in Russia. The staff of OLEN BETON LLC does not exceed 20 people. BR Electronics has just over 40 people. There are not even a thousand people working in Norwegian companies. With 787 thousand inhabitants of the Murmansk region.

Investment funds are invested in expensive equipment, programs and projects that have a direction other than the economic development of the Murmansk region.

II. "Strange" Norwegian companies and why Norway has a loss-making business in Murmansk

“In modern Norway, it is impossible to understand where the secret service ends and this or that organization begins.” conclusions Director of the Analytical Bureau "Consulting Mobile" Roman Konoplev are absolutely applicable to the characteristics of Norwegian companies operating in the Murmansk region.

“According to the results of a survey conducted at the end of 2011 by the Norwegian company SIVA of 32 foreign companies (22 of which are Norwegian) operating in the Murmansk region, 45.2% of respondents believe that the results of their business activities in the region in 2011 .became much better than in 2010.” This is from the media of the Murmansk region.

Interest is not the information itself, but "SIVA" ("SIVA"), conducting monitoring. JSC SIVA Industrial Center in Murmansk is a subsidiary of the State Corporation for Industrial Development of Norway SIVA s.f. The corporation is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. As the corporation writes about itself: "The main goal is to promote the internationalization of Norwegian companies, with particular attention to the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises abroad."

Representative offices of the company are open in all corners of the Murmansk region. They are engaged in the collection and processing of information of an economic nature, including in the border areas. (Published on the website of the representative office). The company “advises Russian entrepreneurs. Organizes their meetings with representatives of Norwegian business”. The costs of collecting information, establishing trusting relationships with the Russian economic elite and government officials are paid from the state budget of Norway. SIVA is a state-owned company.

Another type of activity of SIVA is the purchase of real estate in the Murmansk region. Repair, reconstruction with leasing to state and commercial structures. JSC SIVA Industrial Center in Murmansk offers offices for rent in a 2-storey business center building with convenient parking under 24-hour video surveillance. The building has a conference room equipped with multimedia equipment, kitchenettes for tenants and a cafe” — from the company’s announcement.

It's not about the financial side of the issue. The Russian business elite will conduct their activities in premises owned and technically equipped by the state organization of Norway. And not only businessmen. "Offices with conference rooms" were transferred by "SIVA" to the customs post "Murmansky". Murmansk customs and ROSTEK (Federal State Unitary Enterprise of the Federal Customs Service) do not pay a penny for rent to Norwegians. It is obvious that for the Norwegian side there will no longer be any difficulties in obtaining information on commercial and state secrets of Russia. "Free cheese", as you know, does not exist.

The SIVA staff consists of Norwegians and Russian-speaking citizens from the CIS countries. There are practically no Russians in it. In connection with the "information-search" nature of the company's activities in the Murmansk region.

To the same "specific" is "Innovation Norway" - the Norwegian state-owned company. It operates in 30 countries with a staff of 500 people. "We are committed to helping Norwegian businesses grow and find new markets." The search for markets and the struggle for them is the cause of wars between countries. Therefore, it is represented in Murmansk by a Norwegian with the bearing of a career officer, Knut A. Muugas. He is the Consul for Commercial Affairs of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Norway in Murmansk.

A feature of Norwegian enterprises in Murmansk is that they are unprofitable in the vast majority. However, their activities are financed by Norway. Numerous Norwegian educational and charitable programs in various spheres of life in the Murmansk region should also be added here.

“As part of the project “Cooperation in the field of education between the Murmansk region and the province of Finnmark on the Arctic environment”, student and teacher exchange programs are being carried out between the Murmansk Technological College of Service, the Murmansk Industrial Lyceum, the Murmansk Pedagogical College and senior schools in the cities of Kirkenes, Vadse, Lakself and Honnigsvog” (From a press release dated February 8, 2012).

There can be no talk of any disinterestedness of Norway. Unprofitable activities on land ensure the absolute superiority of Norway's interests in the Barents Sea, with its oil, gas and bio-resources. The entire Norwegian information and production complex in the Murmansk region is the base for creating and supporting the pro-Norwegian lobby in Russia.

Joint business, children of influential Russians in Norwegian universities and schools, real estate in Norway, establishing "trust" relationships with "necessary" persons. This is how the “fifth column” is formed inside Russia.

The Jesuit way of establishing influence on the Russians deserves attention. Associated with educational programs between Norway and Russia. In Norway, there is a selection of Russian children of politically and economically "significant" persons. Those who, by the nature of their activities, deal with issues of Russian-Norwegian relations.

The initiative comes from the Norwegian side: in the choice of educational institutions and groups for the selection of Russian schoolchildren, students for trips to Norway. There are also various competitions for traveling to the "land of the northern fairy tale". The winners in them, as a rule, are children from the circle of persons required by Norway. The Norwegian side does not experience a lack of information for such a selection.

In Norway, young Russians end up in Norwegian families. Their parents then “pull up” there. Affectionate fathers and mothers do not understand that the citizens of the country of fjords and trolls receive funds from the state to support their “children”. And all the "care" has one goal - the acquisition of agents of influence of Norway in Russia. The natural credulity of a Russian person is mercilessly exploited by cold and cynical Scandinavians on the most precious thing: children.

The results of Norway's effective work in this direction are evident. The presence of a powerful pro-Norwegian lobby in Russia was mentioned at a recent round table in the State Duma of Russia.

III. Thank you in Norwegian

"Norway dumps fish and lobbies its interests in Russia," - from the statement of German Zverev, president of the industry association - the Association of Pollock Producers.

In Norwegian ports, Russian fishermen sell fish products caught in their territorial waters worth NOK 1 billion a year. Up to 70% of Norwegian companies are engaged in the processing of fish caught by Russian fishermen. After processing, the fish goes to Russia. As a result - the disappearance of the processing industry on the Kola Peninsula.

The given statistics are well-known. It does not say only that the fish supplied by Russian ships to Norway is a contraband product. Norway not only encourages the criminal activities of individual fishing firms, but also harbors ships from Russian justice in its ports. The demands of Russian law enforcement agencies for their extradition are simply ignored by her. The damage to the Russian economy from the joint criminal activities of Norway and smugglers amounts to billions of rubles.

In pursuit of super profits, the Norwegians sell products dangerous to life and health to Russia. 15 Norwegian companies supply fish to Russian markets with salmonella and listeria. But that's not all. Norwegian "friends" want to feed Russian schoolchildren with double-frozen fish fillets. Why do they use the Norwegian lobby (agents of influence) in Russia. They are “pushing through” amendments to the technical regulations so that our children eat useless and dangerous rubbish.

Russian sailors have more problems with fishing today than before the signing of an agreement between Russia and Norway on the delimitation of maritime spaces in September 2010. The purpose of the treaty was to eliminate problems. Why Norway received half of the 175 thousand km from Russia. square waters of the Barents Sea.

Norway is not enough. The number of arrests of Russian ships in the area of ​​the Svalbard archipelago increased after the conclusion of the treaty. Because the Norwegians have declared a 200-mile fish protection zone near the Svalbard archipelago. In violation of the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. According to it, the waters adjacent to Svalbard in the Barents Sea are open to the countries parties to the agreement. Norway does not care about international obligations. It unilaterally declares itself the absolute owner of what it cannot dispose of.

“Is our state really no longer able to ensure its jurisdiction over ships flying Russian flags? Why does Russia go to protect God knows who from some pirates in Somalia, but here under its nose it cannot protect its own fishermen?” - asks Vyacheslav Zilanov, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Fisheries Workers of the Russian Federation.

Because the Norwegian pirates are in "NATO", and their leaders in Murmansk are welcomed as dear guests. The Russian Northern Fleet, instead of protecting its fishing vessels from capture by the armed forces of Norway, conducts joint military exercises with them. And even the entry into this region of the Russian border guard ship is stipulated as not connected with the seizure of its ships.

In front of us is a predator insolent from impunity - the Kingdom of Norway. With anti-Russian propaganda inside the country. With the organization in Norway of provocative gatherings of militants and the Russian opposition before the presidential elections. Which should be put in its place not by the notes of the Foreign Ministry, but by the forces of the Russian Navy. Only then will the Norwegian "pug" realize that she is facing a strong Russian bear.

The restoration of Russia's position in the Barents Sea region should begin with its withdrawal from the September 15, 2010 agreement. Recognizing it as inactive. For the reasons stated above: in ignoring the international treaty on Svalbard of 1920 by Norway, the seizure of Russian ships and participation in the smuggling of fish resources.

What opportunities have appeared for Norway from the “piece” of the Barents Sea waters donated to it by Russia is clear from the statement of the Ministry of Oil and Energy of Norway. Ingmar Sundström, an expert at the ministry, said that Norway is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with Norwegian gas. As an alternative to the Russian one on the most favorable terms. According to the expert, there is enough gas in Norwegian gas storage facilities to provide Ukraine with uninterrupted supplies.

Who would doubt it! Russia's generous "gift" under the 2010 agreement makes Mr. Sundström's statement about the sufficiency of gas in Norway for Ukraine quite reasonable. As a response to the speech of another Russian "friend" - Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The fact that the Ukrainian authorities continue to look for an alternative to Russian gas.

As an afterword

Today, the position of the Russian leadership on equal cooperation and mutual understanding in the international arena is perceived by Western partners as a sign of weakness. The story of Norway is an illustration of this. Decency, honesty, let alone gratitude, are not part of the policy principles of these countries. Therefore, Russia's margin of tolerance in protecting its national interests has already been exhausted.

Ustrakhanov Ruslan

Norway-Sweden

Relations between Norway and Russia are developing both through bilateral and multilateral channels, including within the framework of the BEAC, the CBSS, the Arctic Council and the Arctic Window, the Northern Dimension.

At one time, the Russian Empire was the first to officially recognize the independence of Norway in 1905. Norway was also among the first to recognize the state sovereignty of Russia on December 16, 1991.

Russia and Norway regularly exchange visits at various levels.

The legal basis of Russian-Norwegian trade and economic relations is the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation of March 26, 1996, on the basis of which the Intergovernmental Russian-Norwegian Commission for Economic, Industrial, Scientific and Technical Cooperation operates.

The share of Norway in the Russian trade turnover is about 0.3%. According to Russian customs statistics, in 2008, compared with 2007, bilateral trade increased by 45.1% to $2.297 billion; Russian exports - 1 billion 114 million US dollars (an increase of 83.2%), imports - 1 billion 83 million US dollars (an increase of 21.4%). In Russian exports, the share of raw materials is about 92%. The majority of imports from Norway are fish and fish products - 60%.

About 120 enterprises with the participation of Norwegian capital are registered in Russia. Norwegian capital develops mainly the northwestern regions of Russia, especially the Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, and Leningrad regions. Priority areas of activity are industry, wholesale trade, services, telecommunications, and the media.

On February 21, 2008, in Moscow, OAO Gazprom, the Norwegian company StatoilHydro and the French company Total signed the Shareholders Agreement on the establishment of the Shtokman Development AG Special Purpose Company to design, finance, construct and operate the facilities of the first phases of the development of the Shtokman gas condensate field. StatoilHydro received 24% of the company's authorized capital.

An important place on the bilateral agenda is occupied by issues of environmental protection, nuclear safety and cooperation in conducting rescue operations in the North and the Arctic. Environmental protection issues are regularly discussed within the relevant bilateral commission.

Russia has long-term economic and scientific interests in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. The economic (coal mining) and scientific activities of Russia on this archipelago are carried out in accordance with the provisions of the international treaty on Spitsbergen of 1920. Since April 2007, a Government Commission has been operating in Russia to ensure the Russian presence in the Svalbard archipelago. In February 2008, the Consulate of Russia in Svalbard was transformed into the Consulate General.

Since 1970, negotiations have been underway to delimit the shelf and economic zones in the Barents Sea. On July 9, 2008, the interstate Russian-Norwegian agreement on the delimitation of maritime spaces in the Varanger Fjord area, signed in Moscow on July 11, 2007, came into force.