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Svalbard 2015–2016 Meld Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security Published by: Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security Public institutions may order additional copies from: Norwegian Government Security and Service Organisation E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.publikasjoner.dep.no KET T Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) Report to the Storting (white paper) Telephone: + 47 222 40 000 ER RY M K Ø K J E L R I I Photo: Longyearbyen, Tommy Dahl Markussen M 0 Print: 07 PrintMedia AS 7 9 7 P 3 R 0 I 1 08/2017 – Impression 1000 N 4 TM 0 EDIA – 2 Svalbard 2015–2016 Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) Report to the Storting (white paper) 1 Svalbard Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) Report to the Storting (white paper) Svalbard Translation from Norwegian. For information only. Table of Contents 1 Summary ........................................ 5 6Longyearbyen .............................. 39 1.1 A predictable Svalbard policy ........ 5 6.1 Introduction .................................... 39 1.2 Contents of each chapter ............... 6 6.2 Areas for further development ..... 40 1.3 Full overview of measures ............. 8 6.2.1 Tourism: Longyearbyen and surrounding areas .......................... 41 2Background .................................. 11 6.2.2 Relocation of public-sector jobs .... 43 2.1 Introduction .................................... 11 6.2.3 Port development ........................... 44 2.2 Main policy objectives for Svalbard 11 6.2.4 Svalbard Science Centre ............... 45 2.3 Svalbard in general ........................ 12 6.2.5 Land development in Longyearbyen ................................ 46 3 Framework under international 6.2.6 Energy supply ................................ 46 law .................................................... 17 6.2.7 Water supply .................................. 47 3.1 Norwegian sovereignty .................. 17 6.3 Provision of services ...................... 47 3.2 The Svalbard Treaty ....................... 17 6.3.1 In general ........................................ 47 3.2.1 Introduction .................................... 17 6.3.2 Cultural activity .............................. 49 3.2.2 A history of the negotiations ......... 18 6.3.3 Health and welfare services .......... 49 3.2.3 Principles of interpretation ............ 19 6.3.4 Children and youth ........................ 50 3.2.4 Geographical scope of application 20 6.3.5 Foreign nationals ........................... 52 3.2.5 Treaty limitations on the exercise 6.4 Summary ........................................ 53 of authority ...................................... 20 3.2.6 Research .......................................... 22 7 Environmental protection ......... 54 3.3 International agreements .............. 22 7.1 Introduction .................................... 54 3.3.1 EEA Agreement and Schengen 7.2 More on the environmental Agreement ...................................... 22 objectives for Svalbard .................. 56 3.3.2 WTO Agreement and GATT 7.3 Challenges and measures ............. 56 Agreement ...................................... 23 7.3.1 State of the environment ............... 56 3.3.3 Sanctions adopted by the UN 7.3.2 Current policy instruments ........... 56 Security Council ............................. 23 7.3.3 The significance of climate change for environmental management ......... 57 4 Objectives, policy instruments, 7.3.4 Challenges related to traffic and other administration .............................. 24 activity ............................................. 59 4.1 Key objectives ................................. 24 7.3.5 Infrastructure development into 4.2 Policy instruments ......................... 24 nature .............................................. 61 4.2.1 Legislation ....................................... 25 7.3.6 Pollution and waste ........................ 61 4.2.2 State ownership in companies 7.3.7 New species .................................... 62 and real property ............................ 25 7.3.8 Environment and land-use 4.2.3 The Svalbard budget ...................... 27 planning in the local communities 62 4.2.4 Administration ................................ 28 7.3.9 Cultural heritage sites ................... 64 7.3.10 World Heritage .............................. 65 5Legislation...................................... 32 7.3.11 Environmental management’s 5.1 Legislative principles ..................... 32 need for knowledge ....................... 66 5.2 Status of instituting legislation ...... 33 7.3.12 Environmental information ........... 68 5.3 Specific legislative issues .............. 34 7.4 Summary ........................................ 68 5.3.1 Welfare legislation ......................... 34 5.3.2 Tax legislation ................................ 35 8 Knowledge, research and 5.3.3 Immigration legislation, higher education ......................... 69 nationality etc. ................................. 36 8.1 Introduction .................................... 69 5.3.4 Legislation on rejection and 8.2 Status and challenges .................... 70 expulsion ......................................... 36 8.2.1 Investments and increasing 5.3.5 Education Act and Kindergarten activity ............................................. 70 Act .................................................... 37 8.2.2 Stronger need for coordination .... 73 8.3 Policy instruments and measures 75 8.3.1 Further development of UNIS ...... 75 10.2 Key actors ....................................... 102 8.3.2 Improved quality and scientific 10.2.1 Governor of Svalbard .................... 102 leadership ........................................ 76 10.2.2 Longyearbyen Community 8.3.3 Clear Norwegian role as host ........ 78 Council ............................................ 103 8.3.4 Issues specific to Ny-Ålesund ....... 79 10.2.3 Longyearbyen Hospital ................. 105 8.4 Summary ......................................... 81 10.2.4 Svalbard Church ............................ 105 10.3 Resources ....................................... 106 9 Economic activity ......................... 83 10.3.1 Helicopter ....................................... 106 9.1 The business community in 10.3.2 Air ambulance ................................ 106 Svalbard ........................................... 83 10.3.3 Service vessels ............................... 106 9.2 Future economic development in 10.3.4 Norwegian Coast Guard ................ 106 Svalbard ........................................... 84 10.3.5 Longyearbyen Red Cross Search 9.2.1 Measures to strengthen activity and Rescue Corps .......................... 107 and the business community in 10.4 Exercises ........................................ 107 Longyearbyen ................................. 84 10.5 Specific issues ................................ 109 9.3 Objectives and framework for 10.5.1 Flooding and avalanches ............... 109 future economic development ...... 85 10.5.2 Preparedness against acute 9.4 Economic activity in more detail .. 86 pollution .......................................... 110 9.4.1 The tourism industry ..................... 86 10.5.3 Shipping and maritime safety ....... 111 9.4.2 Mineral activity ............................... 89 10.5.4 Maritime safety measures in 9.4.3 Store Norske Spitsbergen Svalbard .......................................... 113 Kulkompani ..................................... 90 10.5.5 Aviation safety level ....................... 115 9.4.4 Space activity .................................. 93 10.6 Summary ........................................ 115 9.4.5 Electronic communications services ............................................ 95 11 Economic and administrative 9.4.6 Maritime activity ............................ 96 consequences .............................. 117 9.4.7 Fisheries activity ............................ 97 11.1 Measures with limited or no 9.4.8 Air transport activity ...................... 99 budgetary consequences .............. 117 9.4.9 Petroleum activity .......................... 100 11.2 Measures proposed in the 9.5 Summary ......................................... 100 Revised National Budget for 2016 117 11.3 Major measures already begun .... 118 10 Civil protection, rescue and 11.4 Other measures ............................. 118 emergency preparedness .......... 102 10.1 Introduction .................................... 102 2015–2016 Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) Report to the Storting (white paper) 5 Svalbard Svalbard Meld. St. 32 (2015–2016) Report to the Storting (white paper) Recommendation of 11 May 2016 from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, approved in the Council of State the same day. (White paper from the Solberg Government) 1 Summary 1.1 A predictable Svalbard policy One of the key objectives of the Svalbard pol- icy is the maintenance of Norwegian communities In the past, comprehensive white papers on Sval- in the archipelago. This objective has been met in bard have been presented approximately every 10 large part through the Longyearbyen community. years. The white papers have each contributed to Coal mining, traditionally of great importance to guiding the archipelago’s development for a num- the community, has declined in significance in ber of years, and the comprehensive review pro- recent years, partly because many mining employ- cess has contributed to balanced development ees have been commuting between Svea and the within the framework established by the Svalbard mainland. Moreover, the challenging market for policy objectives. the
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