Vladimir Putin, Dmitry Medvedev (foreground)
President Vladimir Putin instructed the defense Ministry and the FSB to protect Russia’s national interests in the Arctic, as well as to ensure the normal functioning of the Northern sea route. About it as reports RIA Novosti, he said during the meeting concerning development of the Arctic island of Alexandra Land archipelago Franz-Joseph.
“Many of the objects of the Ministry of defence could be what is called dual-use and could and should help the civil service to implement the tasks that they face” — appealed to Putin, defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
According to Putin, Russia is ready for joint Arctic exploration with foreign partners in various fields. “We are open to broad partnerships with other States to implement large-scale mutually beneficial projects — from development of natural resources and the development of global transport corridors to science and the environment,” he said.
Putin instructed the government to accelerate preparation of the program of socio-economic development of the Arctic. According to him, there needs to be new approaches to the development of public-private partnerships in implementing large-scale infrastructure projects, including development of the shelf and competitiveness of the Northern sea route.
The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Minister of natural resources Sergey Donskoy and the special representative of the President on issues of environmental activities, environment and transport Sergei Ivanov.