This is a Norwegian-Russian success story
Almost half the population of Kirkenes can cross the border with Russia without a visa.
For many locals in the Norwegian border town, a restaurant visit in the neighbouring town of Nikel or a stop at the Russian gas station has become a part of everyday life. That is thanks to a smooth local travel regime between the two countries.
In 2012, a bilateral agreement on Local Border Traffic came into force. It grants people living in the two countries’ border areas the right to visit each other without visas. Since then, thousands of local travel permits have been issued by Norwegian and Russian consular authorities.
“It has been a fantastic success,” Kirkenes Mayor Rune Rafaelsen told the Barents Observer. “It means a lot for us, it is important for local East-West relations.”
Since the regime was introduced on May 31, 2012, about 5,500 border permits have been issued by the local Russian consulate. That means that close to half the population in the Kirkenes municipality are eligible for visa-free travel.
Figures shared with the Barents Observer by the consulate show that the number of permits issued remains high. In the period from January 1 to August 17 this year, the consulate issued 571 permits. That is less that in the same period 2015, but still a considerable number.
Russians are also benefitting from the local border traffic. According to Vegard Valli, the Norwegian consul general in Murmansk, about 2,500 border permits have been issued to people in Pechenga, the border municipality in Murmansk Oblast.
“We consider this arrangement a success, which has the potential to include even more people,” he told the Barents Observer.
“Compared with a regular visa, the advantage with the border permit is that it costs only €20 and that it is valid for up to three years,” he underlined.
The success has been the biggest on the Norwegian side. Mostly because it is more expensive and difficult for Norwegians to obtain regular visas than it is for Russians. A visa to Russia can cost several hundred euros, while Russians get a Schengen visa for only €35.
“However, we want people to have it both ways,” Valli says. “Both a visa and a border permit”.
The Norwegian-Russian local border traffic regime is now the only one of its kind operating between Russia and a neighboring country. A similar regime was in effect between Kaliningrad and parts of Poland. However, in early July the regime was suspended by Poland and reciprocal action was soon made by the Russian side.
“I want to underline that there are no plans on the Norwegian side to suspend the arrangement like in Poland,” Valli said. “On the contrary, I believe that the regime today stands stronger than ever and that there still is an unreleased potential in the area.
“In the town of Nikel and Zapolyarny, there are several tens of thousands of people who are eligible to apply for the permit”.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Should Canada have a plan for climate refugees?, Radio Canada International
Finland: Most asylum seekers arrive in Finland via Lapland, Yle News
Norway: Refugees find Arctic gate to Schengen, Barents Observer
Russia: Norway visa rules worry indigenous peoples, Barents Observer
