Angelica Astrakhantseva,
St. Petersburg State University
In connection with the redefinition of
the role and importance of the Arctic in
general, and its resources, in particular, it
is required not only a major revision of
number of the existing approaches in
choosing the ways and means to further
development of northern regions, but also
a generalization of the historical
experience of their development.
Russia and Norway are neighbors in the North,
so it has traditionally played an important role in
their relations.
In 1251 in the Arctic was signed the oldest in
Europe written agreement on a border.
The agreement between the Novgorod Republic and
Norway on areas of collecting tribute from the Lapps
(Sami) on the coast of the Barents and White seas.
For a long time Spitsbergen issue had a central
place in Russian-Norwegian relations and
facilitated closer cooperation between the two
countries.
Spitsbergen was officially discovered
by Willem Barents (ab. 1550 – 1597)
in 1596.
Two other names - "Svalbard" and
"Grumant"
reflect
alternative
hypotheses:
1.
2.
The archipelago was discovered by
Vikings in 1194.
It was discovered by Russian Pomors in
the 2nd half of XVI century.
map of Spitsbergen, 1653
Pomors sailing to Svalbard since the XVIth
century - hunting for fox, deer, whales,
walruses, and collecting eider down.
Pomor carved wooden
cross
A pioneer in the whole constellation of
the Norwegian Svalbard fishermen
considered P.K. Buсh from
Hammerfest. His sons were the first
Norwegian colonists on Svalbard
(1794 - 1795).
Norwegian trapping hut
• Growth of scientific activity
• Natural resources
In 1864, Adolf Erik
Nordenskjold found coprolites
deposits on Svalbard and
offered his government to
export the valuable raw
material to Sweden.
map of Spitsbergen, 1720
23 February 1871 the Government of Sweden for the
first time considered the possibility of sovereignty over
the archipelago of Svalbard.
March 20 Swedish-Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a note
outlining the project of colonization in Berlin, London, Paris,
Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen and St. Petersburg. All states,
except Russia, unconditionally supported the Swedish-Norwegian
project of colonization.
Effects of the Swedish-Russian diplomatic
correspondence 1871 - 1872: Agreement of 1872, according
to which an international legal status of Svalbard was for the first
time officially designated as terra nullius, which was the starting
point for further development of Spitsbergen issue.
1899 - the beginning of commercial
mining on about. Spitsbergen (Søren
Zachariassen).
Intense rivalry between American and
British capital.
In 1905 began the "American" phase in
the history of coal mining on Svalbard,
where until 1916 ACC predominated.
1912 - Russian expedition to
Spitsbergen, headed by Vladimir
Rusanov.
report map of the V. Rusanov ‘s
expedition, 1912
Draft Convention on Svalbard in 1910 The international
status of the archipelago was defined as the neutralized and
demilitarized territory. The administration of Spitsbergen:
International Commission - the legislative power, justice of peace
– judicial power, police commissioner - the executive power.
Spitsbergen treaty of 1920. Official recognition by
USSR of the Norwegian sovereignty over Svalbard in Norway in
1924
Joining of the Soviet Union to the Spitsbergen Treaty in 1935.
•
The development of private
enterprise.
 Expeditions of V. F.
Drzhavetsky (1911), V. A. Rusanov (1912)
Barentsburg
•
The development of private enterprise with the participation of the
state.
 Torgovy dom Grumant A. G. Agafelov Co, Russian Spitsbergen
Joint Stock Company, Russian Grumant.
•
State activity.
1.
1910 – 1919: when the main aim is to occupy mining deposits
and to establish mining companies. Svalbard’s legal status
remains indeterminate - the political situation requires the
presence of real economic interests.
2.
1920 – 1931: According to Paris treaty of 1920 Svalbard is under
the sovereignty of Norway. On the other hand, the specific
feature of that period is a gradual consolidation of Soviet coal
resources.
3.
1932 – 1939: there are growing economic interests and the first
attempt to put the development of the resource exploitation on a
regular basis is done.
№
1.
District
Barentsburg
Date of
Purchased
Document confirming the
acquisition
from
acquisition
25.06.1932
Dutch company
Treaty of 07.25.1934. Deed
NESPIKO
of purchase from 07.16.1927
Same
2.
Boheman Fluya
Same
Same
3.
Grumant City
10.12.1931
English-Russian Act of 10.12.1931. Deed of
Joint Stock
purchase from 30.12.1927.
Company
4.
Pyramid
Mountain
Unknown
Russian
Deed of purchase from
Grumant
27.08.1927
Society
Source ГАРФ. Ф. Р 5446. Оп. 49а. Д. 880. Л. 37.
Coal production, thousand tons
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Объем добычи угля трестом
"Арктикуголь"
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
26.3
131
219
339.5
457
470
328
341
• need for high quality coal of
Spitsbergen
Barentsburg, 1943

important strategic position to
establish naval and air bases

meteorological stations
monument, Barentsburg
1944 was - a turning point in Soviet-Norwegian
relations.
Claims: revision of the Paris treaty, transfer of the
Bear Island to the Soviet Union.
Reasons: economic and strategic military
importance
Mining industry:
Grumant (1913-1961),
Pyramiden (1947-1998),
Barentsburg (fr. 1933)
Pyramiden
Scientific activity (geophysics, seismology,
archeology, glaciology, biology, geology, meteorology,
monitoring of the environment).
Tourism
Russia does not recognize some
regulations in the following fields:
•
environmental protection;
• oil exploration;
• 200 mile ‘Fishery Protection Zone’ ;
• archeological researches.
a.astra@bk.ru