The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is planning to hold additional talks with Denmark and Canada on issues of dispute related to the expansion of continental shelf boundaries in the Arctic, Interfax reports Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sergei Donskoi as saying in an interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel (VGTRK).

"We have our differences with Denmark. They have presented their vision on the Arctic shelf and it impedes upon the area which we contend is ours. In any case, we'll hold additional talks with Denmark and Canada, where our lines and theirs intersect as well. As of today, all countries have sent us a note saying that they have nothing against us filing our application, and then work will start on it."

Mr. Donskoi expects that part of the problems related to the Russian application could be eliminated after its first detailed presentation to the UN subcommission in August. "The first thing we'd like to receive is a list of questions from experts and specialists about our application. After that we could possibly resolve some of these issues in August," he said, adding that a second meeting with the experts was likely to be held in the fall, when his ministry would present additional information for the application.

In February 2016, Russia tendered its application to the UN for expanding the limits of its strip of the continental shelf in the Arctic. The application implies that the area of the Arctic continental shelf under Russian control will grow by 1.2 million square kilometers. It may take the UN commission from three to five years to consider the application.