MOSCOW, January 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Key topics of Russia-Norway relations and practical interaction between the two countries, including matters aimed at advancing political dialogue and at stepping up trade-and-economic cooperation, inclusive in the Arctic, will be discussed here on Monday by the Foreign Ministers of Russia and Norway, Sergei Lavrov and Borge Brende. The Norwegian minister arrived in Russia on Sunday for a working visit.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said the Foreign ministers of the two countries would touch upon matters concerning "cooperation in major sectors, including the power industry, fisheries, environmental protection, nuclear and radiation safety, the strengthening of contacts between the northern regions and in the border areas, Russia's economic and scientific presence at the Spitzbergen archipelago, as well as on topical humanitarian problems".
"The Ministers will exchange views on a number of international problems and discuss the development of interaction in such regional formats as the Arctic Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents/Euro-Arctic Council, as well as that within the framework of the Northern Dimension", Lukashevich said.
As a result of the talks, the sides will sign a Plan for Cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Norway for 2014-2015, the diplomat said.
"Relations between Russia and Norway develop dynamically and effectively in all major areas of cooperation. The dialogue at the level of state leadership of the two countries grows deeper: the priem ministers met twice last year," Lukashevich pointed out.
"We maintain a close interaction with Norway in the Arctic Council, the Council of the Baltic Sea States, the Barents/Euro-Arctic Council, as well as through the channels of the Northern Dimension, in which Iceland and the European Union participate alongside Russia and Norway," Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
An important role in promoting bilateral interaction, Lukashevich said, is played by the Russian-Norwegian intergovernmental commission for economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation. The 17th session of the IGC is scheduled to be held in April this year in Moscow.