On February 28, 2019, within the framework of twinning relations, a delegation from Murmansk city Administration paid a visit to Kirkenes (Kingdom of Norway), where the Kirkenes conference was held.
The program of the event provided for the exchange of experience on energy and energy conservation, Barents cooperation, economic management during the period of sanctions relations, as well as a closed economic cycle in the Far North.
The Mayor"s Office of Sør-Varanger, together with the Committee for Economic Development of the Murmansk city Administration , organized a trilateral meeting of the head Murmansk municipality – Tamara Pryamikova, the mayor of Sør-Varanger municipality – Rune Rafaelsen and the chairman of the Committee for economic development of Murmansk city Administration – Irina Kanash.
The meeting discussed issues of further interaction between the commune and Murmansk in the field of socio-economic development, education, culture and art.
The mayor of Sør-Varanger, Mr. Rafaelsen, invited the delegation of Murmansk to come again on a business visit, the purpose of which will be to visit social and cultural facilities adapted for people with disabilities (“Barrier-free environment”).
Also, within the framework of the conference, a working meeting was held between the Head of Murmansk municipality and the mayor of Rovaniemi (Finland) – Mr. Esko Lotvonen.
The head of the municipality invited the mayors of both cities to visit Murmansk on March 14-18, 2019, where international sports competitions will be held: "3rd World Ice Swimming Championship" and "1st Arctic Ice Swimming Cup".
The annual Kirkenes Conference is a large-scale and significant international event within the framework of Russian-Norwegian regional cooperation, and the results of international meetings held during its work will certainly be reflected in future specific joint projects.
