Russia and Norway in the Arctic

... agreements provide for the admission of fishing vessels in areas under the jurisdiction of the parties). The Svalbard factor Svalbard archipelago and adjoining areas are an important and often disturbing element of the Russian-Norwegian relations in the Arctic. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which established a legal regime that was unique in world practice, defines the status of the archipelago: on one hand, it recognizes the Norwegian sovereignty over the archipelago, while on the other hand, it imposes many restrictions ...