Borders of Russian Arctic zone may be determined in 2013 – minister

File Photo of Polar Bear on Ice and Snow with Water Nearby

(Interfax – June 28, 2013) Russian Regional Development Minister Igor Slyunyayev believes the borders of the Russian Arctic zone may be specified and determined before the end of 2013.

“The borders of the Arctic zone can be specified by an appropriate law. Such a law is now being drawn up. It can be included in the [Arctic zone development] Strategy. Such a decision may be made. I believe we will get a clear idea on what the Russian or Russian Arctic zone is from the point of view of the Russian Federation,” Slyunyayev told reporters on Friday.

The minister said almost half of Russia’s regions have a relation to the Russian Arctic zone.

“In actual fact, some forty Russian regions are related to the Arctic zone. Seven regions are included in it directly,” he said.

The minister said at the Regional Development Ministry presidium colleguim on Friday that the ministry has made a plan of events aimed at implementing the Russian Arctic zone development strategy and ensuring its national security in the period until 2020.

“We have begun working on the state program for the socio-economic development of the Russian Arctic zone,” Slyunyayev said.

The minister recalled that one of the requirements of the Russian Arctic zone development strategy is the creation of an interdepartmental body.

“I believe a government commission led by a deputy prime minister of the Russian federation needs to be formed to coordinate the actions of all relevant authorities in issues relating to the implementation of the state policies in the Arctic,” the minister said.

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