Russia and Norway are planning to hold joint rescue exercises in the Barents Sea, the TASS agency quoted Northern Fleet Commander Admiral Vladimir Korolyov as saying on Tuesday.

"In the coming days, the Northern Fleet will participate in an international exercise, Barents Rescue 2015, aimed at practicing rescuing skills," he said adding that the main task in the Arctic region is maintaining stability.

"Safety in implementing the government's maritime policy and its uninterrupted economic operation in the Arctic regions and along the Northern Sea Route is our priority. The Northern Fleet operates in a fully transparent manner in these regions and complies with the requirements of international maritime law as well as the UN Charter," the admiral said.

The Barents Rescue exercises are organized in accordance with the intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in search and rescue operations for people missing or in distress in the Barents Sea. These are the only maneuvers of the search and rescue support forces held annually by Norway and Russia in the Arctic.