– It looks very complicated. It looks like several obstacles are being set up so that traffic can cross the Russian border, says Lars Georg Fordal. He is head of the Barents Secretariat in Kirkenes, which will ensure good cooperation with Russia. But the neighborhood seems to be taking a new turn in the wrong direction: the news agency Tass reports on a proposal from the politician Yevgeny Moskvichev. He is a member of Russia’s legislative assembly, the State Duma. Now he wants no one to be allowed to drive into Russia or leave the country without having agreed a time in advance. He will also establish a new procedure for how the crossing should take place, and with requirements for documentation. The proposal applies to all vehicles, whether they are owned by Russians or foreigners, private individuals or companies. Moskvichev himself obviously realizes that the scheme will create a mess at the border crossings, because he wants to build parking lots and other facilities to keep the queue of cars in order. Lars Georg Fordal on the bill: – This is yet another brake on the contact which is already reduced and declining. Photo: Kristin Humstad / news No need Lars Georg Fordal is unable to see that there is common sense behind the austerity measures. – There is no doubt that there are far fewer crossings of most borders right now. I can’t see that there is any practical need for this, he says. – It appears as a desire to limit how easy it is to cross back and forth between Russia and abroad. Fordal sees the proposal in the context of strained relations between Russia and other countries. – This is not the hook on the door, but another barrier. The big question is how it will work in practice. Perhaps it can be a relatively simple arrangement, but it can become very complicated. Fishing vessels often change crews in Kirkenes, and the Russians who muster on or off, cross the border at Storskog. Photo: Rolf Jakobsen / news Fewer people cross The traffic between Norway and Russia was first severely slowed down by measures during the pandemic. Then there was full-scale war in Ukraine. – In relation to the covid era, traffic has increased, but it is of course reduced compared to how it was before the war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs still advises against travel to Russia, says Fordal. Many Russian sailors disembark or board boats in Kirkenes and drive in or out of Storskog. During the corona era, it amounted to 15,000 a year, according to Fordal. He sees that many Norwegians mark their distance from the war by staying away from Russia. – In addition, there is the practical: Norwegian bank cards do not work in Russia, and Russian ones do not work in Norway. We are back to the 90s when cash had to be exchanged. There are more and more practical barriers to crossing the border. Only the embassy in Moscow processes visa applications from Russians who want to go to Norway, and thus it is more time-consuming and complicated. Easier for locals Residents in the border area are subject to a separate agreement that makes it easy to cross the border, but not many people use it at the moment. – Kindred and family probably go back and forth. There are Russian cars in Kirkenes and people who shop in the store, but it is greatly reduced, says Fordal. Previously, border residents on both sides could take an evening trip to shop in the neighboring country, but that option is gone now that the border closes at 3 p.m. However, it has not been completely closed, although some have feared that it could happen. – There have been rumors for several rounds that something will be done about the possibility of crossing the border, but it has been open all along, says Fordal. Here in the State Duma in Moscow, they will decide whether it will become even more complicated to travel to or from Russia. Photo: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP
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People must make an appointment to cross the border – news Troms and Finnmark
