A historical deal between Russia and Norway was signed yesterday by president of Medvedev of Russia and Norwegian Prime minister Stoltenberg.
The treaty resolves what has been for several decades the most important outstanding issue betweem Norway and Russia. The disagreement was about the maritime boundary between Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean and has largely kept the two nations from utilizing natural resources in the area, and both nations can be expected to start looking into oil and gas exploration within the area now once the deal has been signed.
The agreement signifies the strengthening cooperation between the two nations which have gradually increasing over the last 20 years. Prime minister Stoltenberg said in an interview with the Barrentsobserver that " Norway and Russia have developed a broad cooperation in the north consisting of organization, cultural workers, businesses, educational- and research institutions etc." and he higlighted the importance of every-day contact over the borders.
After the signing of the agreement the two heads of state continued discussing the possible within the energy sphere. Were both parties have aspirations for future co-operation