Sergey Mironov says that Russian regions again should have a word in the development of important natural resource fields
(Barentsobserver.com, 09.10.2008)

Speaker of the Federation Council, Sergey Mironov, says Russian regions again should have a word in the development of important natural resource fields.

The speaker of the upper chamber of the Russian parliament in a speech in the far eastern city of Chita this week said the principle of “two keys” in Russian natural resource management should be reintroduced. The principle, laid down in the constitution but watered out over the last years, gives the regions a co-decision right in issues of natural resource development.

Power division

Mr. Mironov wants the new federal Law on sub-soil resources (“O nedrakh”) to reflect the two-key principle, Oilru.com reports with reference to Itar-Tass. He believes that the federal centre still should remain in full control over the big strategic resources, but that the regions should be included in the decision processes for smaller resource fields.

-The management key to strategic raw materials like uranium and big hydrocarbon fields should remain in Moscow, he said, adding that smaller fields of oil and gas could have two keys – one in Moscow and one in the region. He also believes that even smaller “local” fields should be under the full management of the region.

Mr. Mironov underlines that he supports a 50-50 division between federal and regional power in resource development.

Constitutional right

The Russian constitution formally secures the right of all federal subjects to have a word of influence when licenses to precious natural resources are issued. The so- called "two-key principle" has required the signature of both federal and regional authorities before licenses are handed to the companies.

However the principle has been watered out over the years.

A new system introduced in 2004 is based on special commissions, established under the Ministry of Natural Resources, with representatives both from federal and regional authorities. Thus, on the paper, the regions will still have a say and compliance with the constitutional principles is observed. However, as specified by federal officials, the commissions will be lead by the federals and the regional representatives will only be granted "voting rights".