Odlo met the Russian lieutenant-general Stanislav Vladimirovich Maslov, head of the security service FSB’s border directorate for the Western Arctic area. The meeting took place on board a Norwegian coast guard ship in Sør-Varanger on Thursday. From Norway, representatives from the coast guard, the Norwegian border commissioner and the defense attache in Moscow also participated. – The meeting was marked by good dialogue and professionalism from both parties, says Odlo. He says it is important to carry out these meetings to discuss challenges, and to agree on joint objectives and necessary measures on cross-border cooperation. – It is also important for both nations to keep this channel open to be able to talk together. It can prevent accidents and misunderstandings between Norway and Russia, says Odlo. Cross-border cooperation The Norwegian Defense Forces states that there was talk of specific issues regarding cross-border and rescue cooperation, as well as fisheries management. There is still agreement that the challenges in the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea and on the border must be resolved by open communication channels and the continuation of the agreements that have been concluded, the Norwegian Armed Forces informs. The border cooperation is based on the border agreement between Norway and Russia from 29 December 1949. This is now one of the few arenas where Norway and Russia meet, after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine started last year.
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