The Arctic issue dominated the talks between the Russian and Canadian foreign ministers. Prior to them, Cannon had said that Ottawa would submit claims for the Arctic shelf rights within two or three years. There are scientific grounds that the Lomonosov Ridge extends Canada’s continental shelf, he stressed.

However, Ottawa does not rule out that coordinated actions with Moscow could be taken on the Arctic territories in question.

Lavrov noted that the existing problems can be solved by direct agreements between Arctic countries. He doubted that NATO will be right if it decides “who and how to solve problems in the Arctic.”

Commenting on other issues on Thursday, Lavrov said Russia had not received an invitation from NATO to take part in the alliance’s summit in Lisbon. Western media speculate that the alliance’s leadership is expecting a response from Russia.

As for the Iranian nuclear issue, Moscow is insisting on additional steps to correct “the unhealthy situation” around Tehran’s program and reach a political agreement, the Russian FM said.

Moscow also expects direct talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to continue after September 26, when a moratorium on building settlements in the West Bank expires. However, so far mixed information has been incoming, Lavrov said. “With all the difficulties that accompany this process, negotiations are better than their absence,” he stressed.

Russia “retains full initiative” regarding the Moscow conference on the Middle East, the minister said. This meeting would be important for supporting the direct talks, he said.

Sergey Borisov, RT