MOSCOW (Sputnik) — In May, Russian Minister of Natural Resources Sergey Donskoy said that Russia's claim would be considered by a UN sub-mission on August 8-12, adding that the whole review process could take up to five years.
"We are facing the first discussion of Russia's application. After this session, I think the main issues to be further discussed by the sub-commission would be outlined. Usually, a sub-commission considers applications twice a year. No one knows how many of such sessions there will be. This process may take several years," Lobkovsky told RIA Novosti.
According to the scientist, the Russian delegation will receive a list of comments and recommendations following the August review of the bid.
"We will have to implement them by the next session that is, I believe, is due to take place in November."
In August 2015, Russia submitted information to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) on its case to extend the country's jurisdiction over some 1.2 million square kilometers (463 square miles) of the Arctic Ocean, reaching up to the North Pole. The Russian case will be presented at the 41st session to a sub-commission established specially to consider the Russian application.
Russia made its first submission on the matter in 2001, but it was rejected due to a lack of information.
