Russia is protesting Norway's decision to restrict access to the Spitsbergen Archipelago and says these actions contradict the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty.
"The actions by the Norwegian side are not in line with the spirit of international cooperation on Spitsbergen based on the 1920 Spitsbergen Treaty. We resolutely protest this unfriendly step and we demand an immediate revision of the restrictions that have been introduced," the Russian Foreign Ministry's information and press department said in a commentary posted on the ministry website.
"Russia is also pointing out that this measure put in place by the Norwegian authorities affects not only the interests of Russia, but also of all the countries that are signatories to the 1920 Treaty, without whose consent Norway has no right to introduce rules restricting free access to the archipelago established by this international treaty," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
Norway on August 7 adopted a temporary order on the deportation from the Spitsbergen Archipelago of persons included in the UN Security Council sanctions lists and persons affected by international restrictive measures as regards to their travel.
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