Russia still open for cooperation in the Arctic
TROMSØ: “In the Arctic there are no problems that cannot be solved on the basis of mutual understanding and constructive dialogue,” says Arctic explorer Artur Chilingarov.
Chilingarov, who until recently was President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy to the Arctic, and who is known for planting the Russian flag on the sea bottom on the North Pole, in his speech at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Tromsø said that cooperation with other Arctic states is an important part of Russia’s Arctic strategy
“The Arctic states have repeatedly shown that they have reached a degree of cooperation that without exaggeration can be called a model for good-neighborly, stable and predictable politics,” the famous Arctic explorer said.
In his speech, Chilingarov emphasized the importance of the work that is being done in the Arctic Council, and said that international cooperation between non-governmental organizations is also vital for Arctic exploration. “In the Arctic, there are no problems that require a military solution,“ he added.
“We don’t feel any kind of effects of the political tensions in the Arctic. In March Russia plans to open the floating research station North Pole-41 and we will soon open the Arctic station of Barneo. We welcome foreign scientists to work on these stations.” “Russia is open, let us cooperate!”
Chilingarov in June 2014 left his position as Presidential Aide on Arctic and Antarctic affairs to become a board member in the oil company Rosneft.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic Council: The evolving role of regions in Arctic governance, Blog by Heather Exner-Pirot
Finland: US seeks Finnish support for Arctic goals, Yle News
Greenland: Greenland urged to work with Arctic Council, CBC News
Iceland: Iceland conference draws on hopes, concerns for changing Arctic, Alaska Dispatch
Norway: Permanent Arctic Council Secretariat opens in Tromso, Blog by Mia Bennett
Russia: The Arctic Council’s Immunity to Crimean Flu, Blog by Heather Exner-Pirot
Sweden: Scandinavian Arctic should cooperate more: report, Radio Sweden
United Kingdom: The British Invasion – The Arctic Circle and observer states, Blog by Heather Exner-Pirot
United States: 10 takeaways from the 2014 Arctic Circle Assembly, Alaska Dispatch
