In his remarks following the meeting, Viktor Zubkov said, in part:

"We have just finished a very productive meeting on Russian-Norwegian economic cooperation. We discussed the status of the regulatory framework for cooperation between our two countries, as well as the possibilities for joint projects in energy, transport, information technology, telecommunications, fishing, fish processing and ship building.

As for energy, we have ascertained that the appropriate government agencies are doing their jobs. Research has been intensified, with energy efficiency playing a primary role. Norwegian companies are interested in developing the Shtokman gas field and importing electricity from Russia.

We have made good progress as far as shipbuilding. An ad hoc working group held its first meeting in St Petersburg in September 2009. Its next session will take place in Norway on April 22. The group has already developed joint projects to modernise vessels.

Cooperation with our Norwegian partners in these and other areas will help modernise the Russian economy and increase innovation.

All this will help us increase trade between our two countries substantially, rather than simply restore it to pre-crisis levels. I believe that $2 billion in trade that our countries reached in 2009 is not the limit.

Now let's talk about tourism. We need to improve our rather modest indicators in this area. I believe that this year's Eurovision song contest in Norway will increase the flow of Russian tourists to that country, making the situation more balanced.

We are currently preparing several bilateral documents to be signed during President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Norway in late April. We have just signed a protocol for cooperation in the labour market.

I believe that the work we have accomplished today will serve as a continuation of the longstanding political dialogue between Russia and Norway. This is a significant part of the preparations for President Dmitry Medvedev's state visit to Norway, scheduled for late April."

Mr Zubkov concluded by thanking the Norwegian co-president of the commission, Minister of Trade and Industry Trond Giske. "Mr Giske has only recently taken up his duties as the intergovernmental commission's co-president. Nevertheless, our work today has been substantive, and our work will be even more effective in the future," the first deputy prime minister said.