Moscow: Russia's outspoken Prime Minister
Vladimir Putin dismissed forecasts today that Arctic nations
would soon clash over resources in the polar region believed
to hold up to a quarter of the Earth's undiscovered oil and
gas.
Russia, the US, Canada, Denmark and Norway have all been
trying to assert jurisdiction over parts of the Arctic.
Mounting evidence shows that global warming is shrinking
polar ice, turning the previously inaccessible area into a
potentially rich source of hydrocarbons and other mineral
riches.
"Most of those frightening scenarios for the Arctic have
no grounds," Putin said in televised remarks, addressing an
international Arctic conference in Moscow.
"They only aim to stir a conflict between the nations and
fish in troubled waters."
Putin admitted that the countries' interests in the
Arctic "indeed clash", but said he thought all issues could be
resolved by international law.
An Arctic strategy paper signed by Russian President
Dmitry Medvedev in 2008 said the polar region must become
Russia's "top strategic resource base" by 2020.
Russia and Norway last week signed a maritime border
treaty for the energy-rich Barents Sea, paving the way for
more offshore oil and gas production.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, September 23, 2010, 19:02