Russian president calls for deepening energy ties with Norway

Russian President Medvedev Monday called for deepening relations with Norway through energy cooperation.

Addressing a group of business people in Oslo, Medvedev said that his country will count on the further deepening of what he called a strategic partnership in energy between the two neighboring countries, which have a long-standing dispute between them over territorial waters in the resource-rich Barents Sea.

The dispute was expected to come up in talks between the two sides during Medvedev's visit to this Nordic country.

The Russian president struck a positive note when he expressed his optimism in an interview with a Norwegian-language daily by saying a solution to the issue is absolutely possible.

The Barents Sea is believed to contain vast oil and gas resources.

Medvedev and his wife, Svetlana Medvedeva, arrived at the Oslo international airport at Gardermoen on Monday morning and were welcomed by Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon and Foreign Minister Jonas Gohr Store.

After having a luncheon with Norwegian King Harald V and Queen Sonja, Medvedev had discussions with Dag Terje Andersen, president of the Norwegian parliament -- the Storting, on developing relations between the Russian and Norwegian legislatures.

Medvedev was also scheduled to hold talks with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday before winding up his two-day visit to Norway and leaving for Copenhagen, capital of Denmark.

On Wednesday, the Norwegian foreign minister will continue discussions with Dmitrij Dmitrijenko, governor of Russia's Murmansk region, on simplifying visa procedures for residents on the two sides of the Russian-Norwegian border.

Vladimir Putin visited Norway in his capacity of Russian president in November 2002.

Source: Xinhua