“EU has no authority in the Arctic”, says Norway deputy oil minister
Deputy Oil and Energy Minister Per Rune Henriksen underlines the EU has no jurisdiction in the Arctic.
- Aenergi.no
Denne artikkelen er over 11 år gammelHis statement comes after the European Parliament’s EnvironmentCommittee decided on a moratorium on oil activities in the region, according to NTB.
Thebody made its decision last week in connection with the Parliament's handling of the European Commission's proposal on commonrules for offshore safety. The ruling caused Labour’s (Ap) PerRune Henriksen to travel to Brussels, Tuesday.
“The EU has no jurisdictionin the Arctic, no member country has a ContinentalShelf in the Arctic,” Deputy Minister Henriksendeclared.
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“But it’s important that we contribute ourknowledge and expertise in the Arcticpetroleum business, which we have been doing for over30 years, when the EuropeanParliament starts discussing theseissues.”
Good system
He emphasised the fact that Norway believes it has a good system toensure environmental safety.
The EU began working on new and common offshore HSE standards following2010’s Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
Three committees in the European Parliament are now consideringthese before they are put to a plenary vote in December.
Fear of new rules
In Norway, the industry has fearedthat the new rules will weaken Norwegian regulations in this area, but the government has made it clear that it does not consider the measure as having EEArelevance.
“The EU will respect this,” stated Deputy Minister Per Rune Henriksen,who met with Parliamentary members on both the Environmental and the Industry and Energy Committeeson Tuesday.
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“A united oil industry, unions, and the Norwegian government can saythis is something we don’t want on the Norwegian ContinentalShelf.” Read also:
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