An Arctic center for studying and preserving the Solovetsky Islands historical and cultural complex, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will be set up at the Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University, TASS reported, citing Sergei Gromovoy, head of the Agency for the Development of the Solovetsky Archipelago in the Arkhangelsk region.

"The idea to create this Arctic center emerged fairly recently. Its main aim is to preserve a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Solovetsky Islands historical and cultural complex. The center should be a kind of a UNESCO department where specialists are trained and all these issues are discussed," Gromovoy said.

The Solovetsky Islands is an archipelago in the White Sea off the Onega Bay. It sprawls across 347 square kilometers, which makes it the largest among the White Sea archipelagoes. The islands and the adjoining water area, five kilometers wide, form part of the Solovetsky State Historical, Architectural and Nature Museum-Reserve. The key attraction and spiritual center of the islands is the Solovetsky Stauropegic Monastery. The islands' historical and cultural complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1992.