Battle for Arctic key for Russia’s sovereignty – Rogozin

Russia may lose its sovereignty in about 40 years if it fails to clearly set out its national interests in the Arctic, believes the country’s Vice Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.

“It’s crucially important for us to set goals for our national interests in this region. If we don’t do that, we will lose the battle for resources which means we’ll also lose in a big battle for the right to have sovereignty and independence,” Rogozin stated at the Marine Board meeting in Moscow. In his words, by the middle of 21st century the fight for resources between different states will turn completely “uncivilized.” Currently responsible for the defense industry, Rogozin served as Moscow’s envoy to NATO in 2008 -2011. Back then, he recalled, the Arctic issue was raised at almost every alliance gathering. In particular, participants would normally state that because of climate change, the Arctic sea ice would melt and the Northern Sea route will become available for shipping. So, NATO would have to send its warship to the region “supposedly” to ensure security of civil navigation. “Clearly, an attempt to undermine international regulations that provide for cooperation and security in the Arctic zone is behind [that rhetoric],” Rogozin stated, as cited by Itar-Tass. On the other hand, he added, it indicates the “magnetism” of the region for world powers.The Arctic seabed is believed to contain vast oil and gas resources. Five nations that border the Arctic Ocean – Russia, Norway, the United States, Canada and Denmark – have been in at bitter dispute over how to divide up the region.According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, an economic zone belonging to a state is limited to 200 nautical miles from the coastline. That area can only be extended if a country provides evidence that the continental shelf is a geological extension of its territory. Since 2007, Russia has organized several expeditions to prove that an underwater Arctic mountain range, the Lomonosov Ridge, is part of its own landmass. It says the ridge is a continuation of the Siberian continental platform and it is not isolated from the Russian plateau. By 2020, Russia plans to deploy a combined-arms force – including military, border and coastal guard units – to protect its economic and political interests in the Arctic. In July this year, after overseeing the start of construction of one of Russia's newest generation of submarines, President Vladimir Putin said: “The Navy is an instrument for defending our national economic interests, including in regions like the Arctic, which holds a rich concentration of bio-resources, as well as deposits of hydrocarbons and other natural resources.”