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Kirkenes II Declaration signed

"The twenty-year long Barents Co-operation has built trust across borders in the region. The Barents Co-operation has evolved into a unique co-operation across borders which has given security, prosperity and growth in the region", said Norway's Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg when the Kirkenes II Declaration was signed during the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the co-operation in Kirkenes on 3-4 June 2013.

Jun 06, 2013

The Norwegian Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, hosted the 20th anniversary for Barents Co-operation in Kirkenes 3-4 June 2013.

Photographer: Magnus Fröderberg/norden.org

The Barents Co-operation is based on the Kirkenes Declaration of 1993 During the summit on the occasion of the 20th anniversary, a new declaration was signed by the prime ministers of the Barents Region. The new declaration will form the framework for future co-operation.

The declaration confirms the principles from 1993 and emphasises in particular the resource potential of the Region. In the declaration the countries have committed to work towards improved business co-operation and trade.

"A fantastic development"

Marit Nybakk, President of the Nordic Council, said at the summit that the Barents Co-operation must be considered as the most important post-war Norwegian foreign policy initiative:

"The co-operation has been of great importance for the ability to move across borders, and is very much something that is for the benefit and enjoyment of most people. There has been a fantastic development both culturally and economically in the northern regions in Norway, Sweden and Finland and, of course, in Northwest Russia as a result of this close co-operation.

Broad participation

Russia's Prime Minister, Dimitri Medvedev, Finland's Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen, and Sweden's Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt, attended the summit which was hosted by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. The newly elected Prime Minister of Iceland, Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, attended as well as Denmark's Foreign Minister, Villy Søvndal.

Amongst the invitees were also Marit Nybakk, President of the Nordic Council, Observer countries in the Barents Region, Regional Councils, representatives of regional youth councils and indigenous peoples' organisations. The EU Commission's Vice-President for Transport, Siim Kallas, represented the EU.

Barents Parliamentary Conference

The Norwegian parliament was recently host at the Barents Parliamentary Conference in Harstad on 22-24 April this year. The final document of the Conference Resolution was sent to the Norwegian Chairmanship of the Barents Council.

Read more here (in Norwegian): Nordic Council wants to strengthen and expand Barents Co-operation