View of the Arctic Ocean from the Svalbard archipelago. Archival photoMOSCOW, May 22The Asian countries of the BRICS and the SCO are interested in cooperation with Russia in the Arctic, these intentions are of a strategic nature, Nikolai, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chairman of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Arctic Council, told RIA Novosti Korchunov.
"Traditionally, the countries of the Asian region show great interest in developing cooperation at high latitudes. These are the countries that demonstrate outstripping rates of economic development. Many of them are members of the BRICS, SCO,» the diplomat said.
Moreover, this interest is not opportunistic, the agency's interlocutor explained. «It is based on strategic calculations and has a long-term perspective of cooperation,» Korchunov emphasized. .Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow is open to cooperation with all states on work in the Arctic, and in the current conditions, the Russian leader believes, non-regional countries should also be involved in the development of the territory.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Sweden and Finland joining NATO will change cooperation in the Arctic