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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on Russian research on the Spitsbergen archipelago

29 December 2022 14:39
2668-29-12-2022

Recently, the Norwegian authorities have significantly toughened the working conditions for Russian companies on the Spitsbergen (Svalbard) archipelago and in the surrounding waters. The Norway-introduced measures violate the principles and provisions of the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty. They already cover the main areas of Russia's long-term presence on the islands, which it has exercised in full conformity with international law by pursuing coal mining, tourism and science.

Here's a recent example. In December of this year, the Norwegian authorities imposed unjustified restrictions on research being done by scientists aboard the Russian ship Dalniye Zelentsy. The ship belongs to the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). Russian scientists planned to conduct comprehensive research on marine eco-systems in accordance with the Research in Svalbard programme that is officially registered in Norway's database and was extended through late 2023.

In addition, the Russian vessel was actually denied access to the Russian village of Barentsburg even though it had sent Norway a timely notification of its arrival. The above institute has operated a bio-geo station in the village for over a decade. Norway's discriminatory measures have made the institute's work much more difficult.

Given that Norway had previously approved the institute's annual studies, we believe that this year's restrictions are obviously politically motivated. Regular statements by Norwegian officials and military experts show that Oslo prefers to succumb to anti-Russia hysteria at the expense of its international legal commitments.

This is neglect of one of the treaty's vital provisions - the participants have the right of equal and free access to the archipelago for any goal or task. Let's recall, that this was the foundation on which the treaty was signed by member countries, including Russia, which led to recognising Norway's sovereignty over Spitsbergen.

We categorically condemn this discriminatory approach. Russia's position and related arguments have been repeatedly forwarded to Norway through official channels.

We will continue upholding the lawful interests of Russia's presence on the Spitsbergen archipelago, seeking adherence to the rights of domestic organisations, including Russian scientists. They must be granted free access to Spitsbergen for conducting activities that are qualified as legal by the 1920 Treaty.