Russian Foreign Ministry: Cooperation on Arctic issues can improve political dialogue between Russia and Canada
© RIA Novosti. Vera Kostamo

Russian Foreign Ministry: Cooperation on Arctic issues can improve political dialogue between Russia and Canada

Canada and Russia can start reviving political dialogue by discussing Arctic-related issues, Russian Foreign Ministry Special Envoy Vladimir Barbin, who attended the Russia-Canada: Dialogue and Cooperation in the Arctic conference in Ottawa, told TASS.  

"This conference is a big step towards reanimating dialogue on Arctic matters. As far as I can see, there is not a single issue on which we couldn't cooperate in the Arctic," the diplomat said.

Both Russia and Canada, he added, are aware that the Arctic powers share responsibility for promoting sustainable development and better living standards in the Arctic region.

"This is a solid basis for gradually restoring and broadening the dialogue [between Canada and Russia]. The forms may vary. This could be cooperation at an interstate or regional level and, of course, cooperation involving business, research institutions and civil society," Mr Barbin said.

In 2014, Russian-Canadian ties, including in the Arctic, were virtually brought to a halt at the initiative of Canada's former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, following Crimea's reunification with Russia and tensions in southeastern Ukraine.