The main Russian company operating on Spitsbergen Archipelago is the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "GT Arktikugol." The company is involved in coal mining, ship maintenance, tourism development, and scientific research. For the past several years, the company has been operating under sanctions imposed by Norway. Let me remind you that the international legal status of Spitsbergen Archipelago is defined by the Spitsbergen Treaty of February 9, 1920, and grants the right to conduct economic activity on the archipelago to more than 40 participating states. However, only Norway and Russia have exercised this right. "I want to reassure everyone that, in today's context of rising international tensions, it is of fundamental importance to us that none of the rights Russia acquired prior to our work are lost," Yuri Trutnev opened the meeting.
"Since 2022, the “Arktikugol”: trust has been under the control of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East. During this time, programs aimed at modernizing the trust's infrastructure and diversifying its activities have been and continue to be implemented. 65% of its revenue already comes from non-extractive industries, particularly tourism and other services. We will continue our systematic work to ensure Russia's presence on the Svalbard archipelago," noted Alexey Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.