Space and Timing: Why Was the Barents Sea Delimitation Dispute Resolved in 2010?

Polar Geography, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 145-162, 2011

19 Pages Posted: 5 Mar 2020

See all articles by Arild Moe

Arild Moe

Fridtjof Nansen Institute

Daniel Fjaertoft

Sigra Group

Indra Overland

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs

Date Written: 2011

Abstract

An explanation of the timing of the 2010 agreement resolving the marine delimitation dispute between Norway and Russia in the Barents Sea must be sought mainly on the Russian side. Russia’s willingness to compromise on the spatial disagreement between the two countries at this specific juncture was not, as sometimes assumed, driven by a thirst for the energy resources in the formerly disputed area, but instead by broader Russian foreign policy considerations. These include a general effort to reduce the risk of conflicts with neighboring states by clearing away as many territorial disputes as possible, the intention to improve Russia’s image as a rule-abiding player on the international arena, and interest in strengthening the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as the framework for Arctic governance.

Keywords: Russia, Barents Sea

Suggested Citation

Moe, Arild and Fjaertoft, Daniel and Overland, Indra, Space and Timing: Why Was the Barents Sea Delimitation Dispute Resolved in 2010? (2011). Polar Geography, Vol. 34, No. 2, pp. 145-162, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3506706

Arild Moe (Contact Author)

Fridtjof Nansen Institute ( email )

P.O. Box 326
Lysaker N-1326
Norway
(47) 6711 1927 (Phone)

Daniel Fjaertoft

Sigra Group ( email )

Indra Overland

NUPI - Norwegian Institute of International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

NUPI - Norwegian Institute for International Affairs ( email )

Oslo
Norway

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