Five Arctic coastal states are negotiating the outer limits of their continental shelf in the Arctic. The Russian Federation’s arguments in the discussion are given due consideration and respect.

“A working process was set in motion many years ago to have five Arctic powers delineate the outer limits of the continental shelf, and there were attempts to derail this effort. However, the arguments we put forward are given due consideration and respect,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during Government Hour at the State Duma.  

According to the minister, there is no such process underway in Antarctic yet.

“It may well be that this never happens. The Arctic was designated in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as a region subject to delineation and establishing territorial seas and the delimitation of the outer limits of the continental shelf. There is nothing of this kind for the Antarctic,” the minister added.