8 February 2010
barents boundary tied up with shtokman and canada
rusnord continues the reporting of the recent conversations between the Norwegian and Russian foreign ministers. This is the most significant part – ‘ По мнению экспертов, соответствующее соглашение нужно Норвегии намного больше, чем России, что позволит Кремлю получить от этой страны ряд существенных уступок – от помощи в разработке Штокмана до преференций в освоении Арктики и совместной борьбы против Канады.’
‘In the opinion of the experts an agreement is needed by Norway more than Canada, which will allow the Kremlin to extract from the country (i.e. Norway) concessions: assistance in the work on Shtokman, preferences in the development of the Arctic and concerted action in the struggle against Canada.’
For Rusnord, at least, the Norwegians are under pressure because they need the oil and gas quickly. Will Norway have to continue with Shtokman despite the recent doubts about its economic prospects? Will they be forced to act against a fellow NATO ally? One expert in the report advices caution but this, I think, is caution about ‘rubbing their noses in it’ quite so obviously. He uses the word ’трептно’ which is best translated as ‘timidly’ – as opposed to aggresively. There are some good maps with this report, which is written in a rather gleeful and upbeat tone.
