Norway–Russia border
Norway–Russia border | |
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Treaty of Tartu (1920) (1947)Paris Peace Treaties |
The
The border was defined as a
History
Open border
From the 11th century
The Dano-Norwegian government took the initiative to establish a border line in 1789. Russian authorities agreed, but because of the
The border was reviewed in 1846; a
During the late 19th century customs checkpoints were established at
Finland declared its independence from Russia following the October Revolution, which was followed up with the 1920
Closing the border (1940s)
The
The ceding of Petsamo from Finland to the Soviet Union had no effect on the border, as the Soviet Union by default inherits the old border line.
The Soviet authorities made proposals to change the border. The first was an equal exchange of land at Skoltefoss, but this was rejected by the Norwegian authorities as the proposed ceding was valuable for hydroelectricity. At Grensefoss Norway owned land on both sides of the border, but there was no interest by the Norwegian authorities to change the border as they wanted it to remain the same as from 1826. The border along Klistervatn and Fossevatn was set based on the maps from 1896.[1] At the mouth of Jakobselva the maps from 1896 were of poor quality in combination with the thalweg having shifted since 1896. The thalweg line would create problems for the settlement at Grense Jakobselv, as they no longer would be able to use their harbor or have free access to the sea.[12] The countries therefore agreed on a new line based on a Norwegian proposal, in exchange for the Soviet Union receiving three islets, including Kistholmen and Brennholmen, in the Pasvik River.[1] The marine border within the territorial waters was established by a protocol signed on 15 February 1957. It was marked with two lead markers and originally stretched 4 nautical miles (7.4 km; 4.6 mi).[1]
Cold War
During the Soviet era the border was guarded by Soviet border troops.[13] The border was one of the two land borders between NATO and the Soviet Union, the other being the Soviet Union–Turkey border. This ensured that Russia–Norway border relations were a relevant matter for other NATO allies.[14] During the Cold War, the Soviet Union was considered Norway's main enemy and Norway maintained a large military presence on the border.[citation needed] Norwegian government plans for the defense of Finnmark against the Soviet Union during the Cold War were based on using scorched earth tactics in the event of the Soviets crossing the border.[15] The whole county of Finnmark was regarded by NATO as a buffer zone.[16] Norwegian military leaders regarded the population in the county as potentially unreliable, and did not trust that they would be willing to defend their country against intruders, on account of the county's special ethnic and political composition, specifically Sami people and a higher number of communist sympathizers than elsewhere.[17]
On the Norwegian side the border was from 1948 to 1950 patrolled by the
Initially all meetings between the Norwegian and Soviet commissioners and their staff was held at the Storskog–Boris Gleb crossing. The Soviets quickly bought a small cabin to host meetings. If the meeting was initiated by the Soviets, it was held in the premises, while it was held outdoors if initiated by the Norwegians, unless circumstances dictated that it had to be held indoors. This caused the Norwegian authorities to build a conference room on their side of the border, which opened in 1956.[19] Initially meetings between the two commissioners would be called by hoisting a flag or red lamp at the border, and the other country's soldiers would alert the commissioner, who would meet within two hours. Later a telephone connection was installed and the parties agreed on two hours each week day that they were to be available along with an interpreter.[20] Initially the Soviet commissioner was based in Salmijärvi, but later moved to Nikel.[21]
The area on both sides of the river saw an increased industrialization, especially
There have been a limited number of illegal crossings of the border. For instance an American in 1947 and a West German in 1964 both received a few weeks in detention and smaller fines. During the summer of 1965 a trial was made whereby Norwegians could visit Boris Gleb without a
A Soviet border provocation on 7 June 1968, together with the invasion of Czechoslovakia that year and a general increase in Soviet military activity on the Norwegian border, contributed to a large increase in the funding for the Norwegian military presence on the border.[16] Yet the Russia–Norway border is the only one of Russia's borders where an open war between the two bordering countries has not taken place.[25] (there was a war between the Soviet Union and German controlled Norway which much affected this area)
Proposals for conservation of the Norwegian part of Pasvikdalen was first launched by
Increased traffic
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 caused the Norway–Soviet Union border to become the Norway–Russia border. This resulted in a more liberal border crossing policy, which saw the number of crossings increase to 80,000 by 1992. For Norwegian authorities this meant that police and customs authorities would have to be regularly stationed at the border.[30] A large amount of the initial traffic was from Russians who sold crafts and souvenirs at markets and fairs throughout Finnmark. From 1992 Norwegian authorities introduced limitations on the activity, resulting in a reduction in trans-border traffic. However, by 1998 the traffic had nearly hit 100,000.[31]
From 1991 to 1999 (Poland joining NATO), Norway was the only NATO country to share a land border with Russia. This caused a decrease in allied interest in Norway's border issue, leaving Norway more to itself in managing the relationship.
In 2003 a new border station was opened at Borisoglebsk, financed by the
Work started in 2011 on the Russian side and 2014 on the Norwegian side
Delimitation agreement
Negotiations on the outside marine border were initiated in 1970. Norway claimed, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea Article 15 and the Convention on the High Seas, that the border should follow the equidistance principle, the border being defined by midpoints between the nearest land area or islands, as is normal practice internationally. The Soviet Union claimed, based on a decision by Joseph Stalin from 1926, which was not recognized by any other country than the Soviet Union,[40] that a "sector principle" should apply, such that the border should follow meridian lines. Most of the disputed area was within what would normally be considered Norwegian according to the relevant international treaties. In 1975 the two countries agreed upon a moratorium prohibiting exploration for oil and gas in the disputed area.
In 1978 a temporary agreement regulating
During a meeting in
The treaty stipulates conditions for fishing cooperation, providing for the retention of the mechanism to jointly regulate fishing in the Barents Sea. The treaty also defines the principles of cooperation in hydrocarbons deposits exploration. A deposit which is crossed by the maritime border may only be exploited as a whole subject to a bilateral agreement.[49][52][54][55][56] The border treaty is economically significant, as it makes possible to conduct geological surveys and hydrocarbons drilling in the formerly disputed area, which is estimated to contain up to 6.8 billion tons of oil and gas.[53] The area is located west of Shtokman, one of the world's largest natural gas fields. According to Anatoly Zolotukhin, vice president of World Petroleum Council, it is "a very prolific area—maybe even more prolific than Shtokman".[53] The Norwegian company Petroleum Geo-Services has been contracted to begin surveying the Norwegian part of the area in 2011.[53] Seismic acquisition in Norway's new maritime zone started on 8 July 2011, and is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012.[57]
In 2022, Vyacheslav Volodin, the leader of the Russian State Duma, stated that Russia should reconsider the agreement due to Norway hindering food supplies to Russian settlements in Svalbard.[58]
European migrant crisis
In 2015 an Arctic route through the
The loophole was closed in January 2016, when juxtaposed controls were introduced, and a border barrier was erected.[60] An estimated 5,500[61] to 10,800[62] migrants, mostly from Syria, crossed the border riding bicycles.
Geography
The river of Pasvikelva is 128 kilometers (80 mi) long and runs through the valley of Pasvikdalen. The river drains Finland's Lake Inari and empties into Varangerfjord at Elvenes. After a very short section in Finland, the river runs 22 kilometers (14 mi) through Russia before reaching the Norway–Russia border, after which is acts as a border river for 106 kilometers (66 mi). Prior to being dammed the river consisted of nine lakes and fifteen waterfalls. It was originally possible to travel the entire length of the river by boat, but the current seven dams make it difficult as boats must be carried past the dams.[63] The river falls 114 meters (374 ft) and the entire high difference is regulated and used for hydroelectricity. Finland receives compensation for the impact on Lake Inari, which is regulated for level difference of 1.75 meters (5 ft 9 in).[64]
Control
Both countries have appointed a border commissioner to uphold the border treaty and its protocols. The
The border is marked with 415 border markers, consisting of 387 pairs of poles, 25 cairns, two lead markers and one stake. The three-country cairn is unnumbered, while the remaining markers are numbered from 1 through 415 starting at the Finnish border. Each of the pairs of poles are both located 2 meters (6 ft 7 in) from the border, unless the border runs through water. The Norwegian markers are yellow with a 18 centimeters (7.1 in) tall black top—this was chosen because it would be most visible in all types of weather and lighting. The Russian markers have a pattern of alternating red and green, each 18 centimeters (7.1 in) tall. The red was chosen to symbolize the Flag of the Soviet Union, while the green symbolized the color of the border guards' uniforms. Both poles have the respective country's coat of arms on the side facing the border.[12] While originally made of wood, the border markers are now made of composite materials.[1]
Each country has the responsibility for maintenance of its boundary markers and keeping the clear-cut zone. Most of the maintenance is undertaken during the summer.[24] In August each year there is a common inspection of the entire border. The practical responsibility alternates between the two countries each year. It is carried out by three groups, each which cover a third of the border. Each group consists of two Norwegians and two Russians and the inspection takes two to three days. Afterwards there is a common debriefing.[29]
On the Norwegian side there are no physical hindrances on the border and it is permitted to move all the way to the border itself, except for Storskog, Skafferhullet, and some hydro power stations, where there are fences where roads reach the border. On the Russian side there is a fence located anywhere between 0 and 5 kilometers (0 and 3 mi) from the border. Although not electrified, it has sensors which will notify the border controllers if touched.[24] The fence stretches the entire distance between the Barents Sea and the Gulf of Finland and was built during the Cold War to keep in the population of the Soviet Union. It remains the only barbed-wire fence along a Russian border in Europe.[69] Within lies the Border Security Zone which civilians are not permitted access to.[24] Photography from one country into the other is only permitted if the pictures do not include military personnel and installations, that tripods are not used and not using longer than 200 mm lenses.[70]
Norwegian border police issued an announcement in 2016 that it is forbidden to cross the border on land, water and in air, including at border markers (except with permission or at the border station), or to have contact with people across the border or throw things over the border.[71] This is already written in the law.
Crossing
There is one legal border crossing point, with stations on both sides, at
The
Since 29 September 2017, a new bridge has been opened passing the Pasvik river, with the Storskog-Borisoglebsk customs stations still handling the travels between the two countries.[76]
As of 2010 there were 140,855 border crossings,
There is a special (almost) visa-free arrangement for a designated area of between 30 and 50 kilometres (19 and 31 mi) surrounding the border, based on a clause in the Schengen Agreement. It is only available for residents of the zone for the past three years and requires that a special ID-card be acquired from the consulate of the country to visit (a kind of multiple-journey visa). Stay is limited to 15 days.[80] Towns within the area include Kirkenes in Norway and Nikel, Pechenga and Zapolyarny in Russia.[81] 9,000 Norwegians and 45,000 Russians are eligible for this arrangement.[37] After a similar agreement on border between Poland and Kaliningrad Oblast[82] it is the second time such a visa-free border agreement has been made between Russia and part of the Schengen Area.[83][84] The distance 30 km is calculated as straight distances on the map, so local Norwegians can visit Zapolyarny which is the largest city in the border area, located 11 km (7 mi) from the border, but 50 km (31 mi) from the border station by road.
There are more roads which cross the border and connect to the road network of both countries. They are not open to public. These are the two Paatsjoki river hydroelectric plants: Hevoskoski and Skogfoss. Also the historic border crossing at Skafferhullet has such a road, and there is one over the upper part of Jakobselva river.
As Norway grants the right to travel right up to the border, it is also permitted for residents of Norway to operate boats in the two border rivers and fish. All boats must be registered with the Norwegian Border Commission and registration plates must be mounted on both sides of the vessel. Boating is only permitted in daylight. Fishing and boating is only permitted on the Norwegian side of the river; however in the narrow passages of Pasvikelva it is permitted to travel through on the Russian side on the condition that the boat does not stop, except in emergencies. Parts of Pasvikelva is marked with yellow buoys along the border line during summer.[28]
After the visa-free arrangement was activated,
During the
Future
This section needs to be updated.(September 2017) |
There are suggestions about a new larger border checkpoint to be built on the Norwegian side, as the current station has insufficient capacity to handle increased traffic, and the ground is not sufficiently stable to allow an expansion at the current site. Individual Norwegian police executives have called for a common border checkpoint located directly on the border line. This would allow for a more cost-effective and less time-consuming operation. However, Norwegian and Russian legislation, as well as the
Since 1992, there have been proposals to connect the
In 2003, the cost of the necessary 40 kilometres (25 mi) of new railway was estimated at 1.4 billion Norwegian krone (NOK), while the cost of upgrading the existing Russian line was NOK 400 million.[88] In 2007, Murmansk Oblast's governor, Yury Yevdokimov, rejected the plans for a connection to Russia, stating that his opinion was supported by President Vladimir Putin. Because Kirkenes is a better suited port than Murmansk, local authorities in Murmansk do not want to lose transshipment business to Norway.[89] However, with the increased realism of a line to Rovaniemi, which would serve as an alternative route to Kirkenes from Russia, Russian authorities have since 2010 again supported a railway line between Kirkenes and Russia.[90][91]
See also
- Norway–Russia relations
- Norway–Soviet Union relations
- Pomor trade
- Kola Norwegians
- Finland–Russia border
References
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- Bibliography
- ISBN 82-15-00628-0.
- Glantz, David M.; House, Jonathan (1995). When Titans Clashed: How the Red Army Stopped Hitler. Lawrence, Kansas: University Press of Kansas. ISBN 0-7006-0899-0.
- Johanson, Bodil B. "Overenkomsten" (PDF) (in Norwegian). Norwegian Border Commission. Archived from the original(PDF) on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
- Nilsen, Thomas (2012). "Barents Review 2012: Barents Borders" (PDF). Norwegian Barents Secretariat. 2 Barents roadmap towards visa-freedom. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 February 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- Retzer, Berit Ruud (1999). Jens Evensen: Makten, myten og mennesket (in Norwegian). BBG. ISBN 82-995068-0-8.
- ISBN 978-82-05-37638-0.
- Sør-Varanger Historielag (2001). Sør-Varanger 1906–1939: Jernmalmen skaper et nytt samfunn (in Norwegian).
- Vale, Stein (2009). Teppefall i Treholtsaken (in Norwegian). Cappelen Damm. ISBN 9788202299880.
External links
- Full text of the 2010 maritime border treaty
- Kirkenes travel guide from Wikivoyage and Murmansk travel guide from Wikivoyage describe the Kirkenes–Murmansk bus line, and other info like visas.