MOSCOW. Dec 11 (Interfax-AVN) - The Arctic and Atlantic regions remain the most significant areas of implementation for Russian Maritime Doctrine for the period till 2030, says Admiral Viktor Chirkov, the commander-in-chief of the Russian Navy.
"The Arctic and Atlantic have been singled out as the biggest regional priorities under the government's Maritime Doctrine. The role of the Arctic region for a period to 2030 will objectively increase. This is due primarily to the need to consolidate Russia's positions in this area, to protect our country's national and security interests," Chirkov said at a Tuesday meeting of the Russian government's naval collegium which focused on the draft Maritime Doctrine for a period to 2030.
What is particularly important in the Arctic is to modernize the infrastructure and seaports of the Northern Sea Route, to adapt ships and vessels from other government departments to joint base conditions so they can perform joint missions in the Arctic region, the admiral said.
Speaking of the Atlantic region, the Navy commander-in-chief specifically singled out the Black Sea segment, and Crimea in particular.
"In this area, we have yet to do a significant amount of work following its inclusion in the sphere of Russia's maritime policy," Chirkov said.
The most difficult problem is to secure favorable international legal terms for the Black and Azov Seas, the use of the Kerch Strait, the use of the regional economic resources, and introduction of exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources, the admiral said.