The UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) will make a decision on Russia's application to expand its Arctic shelf boundaries after 2016, TASS quotes Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergei Donskoi as saying in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel.

"It appears the decision will not be made this year. There is a great deal of work that will take some time," he said.

"We are planning to meet with our colleagues from the commission to discuss our claim. <…> A detailed presentation of every aspect of the claim is scheduled for August," Donskoi added.

In August of this year, the UN's experts will respond with inquiries concerning Russia's claim. "We might be able to resolve some issues in August while discussing the claim at the commission meetings; we also plan to meet them in the fall for a detailed discussion on specific issues," Donskoi explained.

On July 11, members of the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf began working in New York. They are to adopt a resolution on Russia's claim to expand the boundaries of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean.