Merger of subjects: the heads of the Arkhangelsk region and the NAO signed a memorandum of intent to unite the regions

Arkhangelsk Oblast and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (NAO) intend to unite. The corresponding memorandum was signed on May 13 in Naryan-Mar by the heads of the regions - acting governors Alexander Tsybulsky and Yuri Bezudny. It is reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the administration of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

On the eve of the RBC agency, citing a source close to the leadership of the Arkhangelsk region, reported that the leaders of the Arkhangelsk region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug plan to launch a process to unite the regions into a single constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

At the same time, the interlocutor of the publication noted that the association is economically advantageous not only for the Arkhangelsk region, but also for the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, since the budget of the second one is largely dependent on oil and gas revenues, which fell due to a collapse in oil prices in 2020.

Meanwhile, the first information that the possibility of combining the two entities is being considered appeared back in April. This was due to rearrangements in the leadership of both regions. 

So, the head of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug Alexander Tsybulsky on April 2 was appointed interim governor of the Arkhangelsk region instead of Igor Orlov, who voluntarily resigned. In turn, the acting head of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug became deputy governor of this region, Yuri Bezudny. As RBC reported, the appointments were made just with an eye to the unification of the two regions.

It is worth noting that the Nenets Autonomous Okrug is an independent subject of the Russian Federation, but at the same time it is part of the Arkhangelsk region. Such regions are sometimes called "nested dolls." Moreover, this case is not the only one in the Russian Federation. The Khanty-Mansiysk and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Districts are also separate entities, but are part of the Tyumen Region.

According to experts, the issue of unification of the Arkhangelsk region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug has long been on the agenda. However, the residents of the regions must also give their consent - for this they need to hold an appropriate referendum.

As Director of the Institute of the Newest States Alexei Martynov noted in an interview with RT, the enlargement process is extremely important, but at the same time very long.

“First of all, this enlargement is connected with economic feasibility, with the possibilities for the dynamic and effective development of territories, taking into account the interests of all people who live in these regions,” Martynov emphasized.

Moreover, according to the expert, the population of both regions will benefit from their merger into one entity.

“It is not necessary to say that someone will win more and someone less, because this is the point of enlargement. Everyone wins. The Arkhangelsk region is larger and with greater infrastructure capabilities, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug is a more isolated and sparsely populated region, but also with its interesting features and capabilities. Joint efforts will be able to give the necessary effect and the dynamics of the development of a new region will be more intense, ”Martynov said.

A similar opinion is shared by the director of the Center for Political Analysis Pavel Danilin.

“At first glance, from an economic point of view, this decision is beneficial to the Arkhangelsk region and not very profitable to the Nenets Autonomous Okrug. However, it must be said that this is only at first glance. The fact is that the regions have long lived in close symbiosis. Residents of the Nenets Autonomous Area have apartments in Arkhangelsk or its environs, many move. In fact, we are talking about a synergistic integrated development of two regions and even the entire northern range of Russia. The management efficiency will increase in such a single region, ”the analyst is sure.

The area of ​​the Nenets Autonomous District - more than 176 thousand square meters km, while about 44 thousand people live there. Moreover, the area of ​​the Arkhangelsk region is almost 590 thousand square meters. km, and the population is about 1.1 million people. Thus, the territory of the Arkhangelsk region is 3.3 times the largest, but the population there is more than 25 times higher. 

At the same time, the internal regional product (GRP) of the Arkhangelsk region in 2018 amounted to 514 billion, while the GRP of the NAO - 305 billion, i.e. 1.7 times less.

The last time the Russian regions united in 2008. It happened on March 1, 2008. Then the Aginsky Buryat Autonomous Okrug and the Chita Oblast merged into the Trans-Baikal Territory. Referenda were held in March 2007, more than 90% of those participating in referenda voted in favor of the association.