OREANDA-NEWS. September 15, 2010. Dmitry Medvedev said the signing of the Russian-Norwegian Treaty on Maritime Delimitation and Cooperation in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean is a historic event that will influence the general situation in the region, strengthening international and regional security and intensifying cooperation between the Arctic countries.

The treaty, the signing of which was witnessed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, creates favourable conditions for cooperation in fishing and hydrocarbons extraction.

The treaty is based on the principle that natural resources deposits crossed by the sea border between the two countries can be developed only jointly and as a single whole. It also states explicitly that delimitation must not impair conditions for Russian and Norwegian fishing activities in the neighbouring areas of the Barents Sea and Arctic Ocean.

Mr Medvedev said that he also discussed with Mr Stoltenberg environmental issues and nuclear and radiation security. The President thanked his Norwegian colleague for Norway’s participation in building a sports-oriented boarding school in Beslan (North Ossetia).

Following the talks, the two leaders gave a joint news conference.