The lack of a framework law on the Arctic region reduces the efficiency of its exploration and nature conservation, RIA Novosti reports Prosecutor General Yury Chaika as saying on Friday after a conference on the oversight of nature protection and mineral resource legislation in the Russian Arctic zone.

"On the whole, a fact-based assessment of the situation was provided today <…> But the discussion revealed the need to fill in the gaps in the legislation. The absence of a framework law interferes with practical environmental protection measures and blunts the efficiency of exploring the Arctic region," he said.

Yury Chaika instructed the federal legislation oversight department at the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Economic Development to submit a relevant draft federal law to the State Duma.