Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at a meeting dedicated to the th anniversary of the Arctic Council, May 19, 2021
The Arctic is becoming a fixture on the international agenda as a region of fruitful cooperation. It is notable that interstate relations in the high latitudes continue to develop consistently despite a difficult international situation.
Tremendous credit goes to the Arctic Council for this. During the past 25 years, we have attained substantial results in the strengthening of this organisation. Three legally binding intergovernmental agreements have been signed. The Arctic Economic Council and the University of the Arctic (UArctic) have been established.
Russia is starting its Arctic Council chairmanship in an anniversary year. Our country accounts for almost a third of the Arctic with a population of over 2.5 million people. As council chair, we will promote balanced and sustainable development in the social, economic & environmental areas.
