First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Viktor Zubkov, who is on a working visit to Norway, has conducted a plenary meeting of the 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Russian-Norwegian Commission on Economic, Industrial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation.
During opening remarks, the First Deputy Prime Minister said: "The Russian delegation considers this 12th Session of the Commission to be a step in the preparation for the visit to Russia by Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg scheduled for May 19, 2009." Viktor Zubkov noted the positive dynamic of Russian-Norwegian trade and economic cooperation. In 2008 trade increased by 45% over 2007 to $2.3 billion.
The First Deputy Prime Minister said "Norway is a strategic partner for Russia in energy development. Energy should be the ‘locomotive' in developing economic cooperation between Russia and Norway." Viktor Zubkov expressed satisfaction with the joint development of the Shtokman gas condensate field. "We expect the investment decision on the first phase of the Shtokman development to be made in the spring of next year. The Russian Government will continue to closely monitor the progress of the project and to render the necessary assistance," the First Deputy Prime Minister said.
He stressed the need to improve the structure of trade by increasing Russian exports of high-value products such as machines and equipment. Shipbuilding, the production of oil and gas equipment and marine drilling rigs are other promising areas of cooperation, Viktor Zubkov said.
The Commission meeting also discussed cooperation in fisheries, transport, ecology and tourism.
The parties stressed the need for more active cooperation in finance. The First Deputy Prime Minister said that "the VTB bank and Rosselkhozbank, which take part in the work of the Commission, are interested in broader cooperation with Norwegian lending and financial institutions."
Viktor Zubkov noted the positive experience in interaction between the northern regions of Norway and Russia. "We are prepared to further develop contacts between the twin border towns of Russia and Norway, the links between the indigenous peoples of the North in adjoining territories of our countries," the First Deputy Prime Minister said.
In conclusion Viktor Zubkov invited the co-chairman of the Intergovernmental Russian-Norwegian Commission for Economic, Industrial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, the Norwegian Minister of Industry and Trade, R. Brustad, and her colleagues, to attend the St Petersburg International Economic Forum and the World Grain Forum in June 2009.
"I think it is a good site for continued discussion of bilateral investment projects. This is important considering the negative impact on the volume of our cooperation as a result of the world financial crisis," Viktor Zubkov noted.