The Russian foreign Ministry called provocation plans to spend on the Spitsbergen archipelago workshop on the NATO parliamentary Assembly. The corresponding statement posted on Wednesday, April 19, on the website of the foreign Ministry.
Moscow believes that the States parties to the Svalbard Treaty of 1920 should be interested in preserving in this area the principles of peace and good neighborliness. “In the context of the current NATO course on “containment” of Russia, accompanied by unprecedented military preparations near the borders of our country, attempts to pull Svalbard “under the wing” of the military-political bloc and the holding of events under its auspices do not meet the spirit of the Treaty,” — said in comments.
The foreign Ministry regarded the conduct of the Alliance as a provocative, adding that in the Arctic region there is no problems which would have required the intervention of NATO. Diplomats believe that the tension is at odds with the long-term interests of the countries of Northern Europe and weakens, not strengthens their security.
The Treaty on Svalbard was signed in 1920 in Paris. According to the document, the archipelago was a special status, establishing the sovereignty of Norway and prohibiting all 50 member countries of the treatise all military activity in the area, including the construction of bases and holding maneuvers. Russia and Norway have been recognized by States, having in Svalbard special economic interests.