MOSCOW (Sputnik) — There is no need to manage relations in the Arctic through an international treaty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
"I see no need in an international treaty on governance of the Arctic either in terms of infrastructure, the economy or in terms of safety," Lavrov said at a press conference.
Lavrov said he and Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom, who is on a visit to Moscow, "reaffirmed our common position that there are no issues to be solved by military means or by building up a military presence either in the Arctic, or the Barents region, or the Baltic Sea."
The Russian foreign minister noted that Moscow supported the initiatives on ensuring security and creating favorable environment for cooperation in the Arctic and the Baltic regions.
"We have considered the situation in northern Europe, in the Arctic and confirmed that Russia and Sweden supported various multilateral formats, including the Arctic Council, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, the Council of Baltic Sea States… We also believe that we should continue to ensure security and create conditions for cooperation in the Baltic Sea region," Lavrov said.
Russia is expected to host the "Arctic: Territory of Dialogue" International Arctic Forum on March 29-30. The forum will bring together international organizations, government bodies, scientists and business community members for talks on issues like development of international cooperation in the Arctic region, consolidation of efforts to ensure its sustainable development and improve the standards of living of the region's inhabitants.
