By Eva Eriksen, ScandAsia.com
October 19, 2017

Finland and Russia are discussing the creation of a trans-Arctic fiber-optic data cable that would connect Finland, Norway and Russia with Japan and China, the Independent Barents Observer reported.

Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications, Anne Berner, reportedly brought up the possible Arctic data link in a Tuesday meeting in Moscow with Russia’s Minister of Communication, Nikolai Nikiforov. Finland’s government said the two discussed how both nations might benefit from such a fiber-optic data cable across the top of the world towards the very east.

“Our aim in Finland is to provide the best possible operating environment for the development of digital services and business opportunities and to actively engage in international cooperation. One example of this is cooperation between Finland and Russia in intelligent transport systems and services,”  Berner was quoted as saying.

A report written by Finland’s former President Paavo Lipponen says key countries in the project are Finland, Norway, Russia, Japan and China.

The submarine section of the cable would be a connection of around 10,500 km from Japan and China to Kirkenes in Norway and the Kola Peninsula in Russia, the report said. From Kirkenes, the fiber cable will cross into Finnish Lapland and further south to central Europe.

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