MOSCOW, November 13 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's presidency of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) will focus on sustainable development, environmental protection and support of indigenous peoples, the Foreign Ministry said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will attend BEAC's 11th ministerial session in Rovaniemi, Finland, on November 14-15, during which Finland will hand the chair over to Russia.
Ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin told RIA Novosti: "In preparing to assume the Council's chair, the Russian side has drafted a corresponding program. Its top priority is to ensure the region's sustainable development with a focus on social and economic factors closely related to compliance with environmental requirements, and also support for indigenous peoples."
According to Kamynin, the Barents Sea region is one of the most dynamically developing areas in Europe, with unique natural resources that are important to the prosperity of the entire European continent. The region also has strong modern industrial and scientific potential, he said.
Russia's sector of the Barents Sea contains the vast Shtokman natural gas field, which will supply the Nord Stream pipeline being built under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
After the BEAC session, Lavrov is expected to meet with his Finnish counterpart Ilkka Kanerva to discuss bilateral cooperation, and also international issues, Kamynin said.
