Murmansk region and Norway develop cooperation despite sanctions

A delegation of the Murmansk region took part in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Northern Norway from Nazi invaders. During the trip, the delegation conducted productive talks on many areas of social and economic cooperation.

A key event was conducted on the Valley of Glory, where Nazi troops were stopped. The participants of the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation, as well as the scientists who study the history of WWII, were among the members of the delegation of the Murmansk region and Norway's Finnmark county.

"The plans of German invaders were ruined here. During the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation, fascist invaders were defeated and thrown back from our borders, and then expelled from the territory of our neighbor - East Finnmark. We will never forget the heroism of Soviet soldiers, their courage and dedication," the governor of the Murmansk region Marina Kovtun said.

"This memorial complex is a vivid reminder of the unimaginably enormous sacrifice of Soviet soldiers - the sacrifice that gave us back our freedom, Constitution and democracy. This is a reminder of what we must never forget. It tells us that we need to educate younger generations in a way that it never happens again," acting chairwoman of the provincial assembly of Finnmark country, Bente Haug said.

"Everything connected with the Great Patriotic War and memory of soldiers is certainly important. There are no borders between countries here, there is common memory that unites nations, - CEO and partner of the Institute for the Development of Territories, Pavel Tiger told Pravda.Ru. - Such events are necessary to maintain the relationships between the partner countries."

During the visit, Murmansk region governor Marina Kovtun signed the cooperation agreement between the Murmansk region, Finnmark and Troms counties. The sides hope that in the future the relationships will continue to develop.

"All kinds of contacts are always positive. The Murmansk region has an extensive experience of cooperation with Norway, Sweden and Finland. I am really happy that these ties continue to develop," deputy chairman of the Duma Committee on Regional Policy and Problems for the North and Far East, Rostislav Goldstein told Pravda.Ru.