MOSCOW. Dec 18 (Interfax) - The calls of Norwegian politicians for enhancing the military presence on Spitsbergen are a dangerous provocation, which does not help strengthen security in the Arctic, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
"This archipelago has a special international legal status, including in the military respect. Consistent with Article 9 of the Spitsbergen Treaty of 1920, Norway pledges not to create and not to allow creating infrastructure that could be used for hostilities. We view any aggressive plans for this territory as a breach of the treaty, a dangerous provocation fraught with bringing the military potential to the Arctic region," Zakharova said at a press briefing on Wednesday.
She thus commented on statements by a number of high-ranking Norwegian officials, who called for enhancing the military potential on the archipelago due to the risk of Russia's hybrid attacks.
Such statements "are not supported by anything other than more speculation, rumors, and essentially fakes, as usual," she said.
"We are sure that the militarist rhetoric and moves of the Norwegian administration are at odds with the task of maintaining stability and security in the Arctic region," Zakharova said.
"Whereas we demonstrate our commitment to constructive interaction with regard to and on the archipelago, consistent with the 1920 Treaty, by word and by deed," she said.