The state regulation of utility rates and housing prices in the Arctic should be enhanced, RIA Novosti quoted Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko as saying at a meeting of the Presidium of the Expert Council on the Arctic and Antarctic.

"I believe that state regulation of transport, utility and housing prices and rates in the Arctic should be tightened," Matviyenko said.

She also said that more attention should be given to developing measures to increase the availability of air service.