Cooperation of countries of the Barents Euro-Arctic region was discussed in Norway

The 14th session of the Council of the Barents Euro-Arctic region took place in Tromso, Norway. The first deputy chairperson of the Committee at the State Duma on regional policy and problems of the North and the Far East Valentina Pivnenko participated in this work.

As it is explained in the press-service of the State Duma, the detailed constructive exchange of opinions on the whole specter of cooperation of states and organizations of Barents Euro-Arctic region took place within the session of the council. Special attention was paid to issues of environmental protection, perfection of health protection, transport and preservation of culture, languages, youth policy and support of indigenous ethnic minorities of the North. The following aspects were marked among new promising directions of cooperation in the North of Europe: green economy and energy efficiency, high technologies and innovations, adaptation to climate changes, ecological and nuclear safety and simplification of visa and customs procedures, measures on simplification of migration of manpower in the region. Also the participants discussed suggestions on improvement of work in the Barents Euro-Arctic region, including, creation of own mechanism of financing of projects with use of potential of governmental-private partnership, as it is informed in the lower house of the parliament.

In her speech the deputy underlined the necessity to develop transport sea and railroad corridors East-West. The Russian national transcontinental system the Northern Sea Route and the developing railroad line Belkomur (the White Sea - Komi - Urals) are important parts of these corridors.