Russia explores joint Arctic projects with Türkiye

MOSCOW

Russia is considering and implementing concrete projects to collaborate with Türkiye in exploring the Arctic, the head of state corporation Rosatom announced on Thursday.

Responding to a Anadolu at a news conference in the Russian city of Murmansk, Alexey Likhachev said Russia welcomes partnerships with Türkiye, China, India in exploring the Arctic, and plans to attract foreign investments into infrastructure initiatives along the Northern Sea Route (NSR).

"We are open to collaboration at the state level," Likhachev said. "Over the last year, discussions regarding the development of the NSR have frequently come up during meetings between the Russian president and heads of governments with foreign counterparts."

These conversations go beyond mere invitations to cooperate, they delve into specific ways to foster mutual engagement, he stressed.

This approach has already yielded results, as intergovernmental agreements have been signed, and Russian-Chinese and Russian-Indian working groups have commenced operations.

"Concrete projects are currently being implemented with our Turkish partners," he added.

Likhachev said Moscow is deeply engaged in discussions concerning Arctic cooperation and the development of the NSR with Vietnam and several Middle Eastern countries.

Beyond governmental efforts, joint structures are forming at the business and enterprise levels, with preparations underway for significant investment projects, he said.

Likhachev cited notable progress with China, highlighting the completion of 14 transit flights through the NSR, totaling nearly 1.5 million tons in international transit, "quite a record figure."

"These are early steps," he said, "but the bulk of our ambitious plans still lie ahead."

Russia is also collaborating with a UAE-based logistics firm to establish long-term projects and programs for container shipping, Likhachev said.

The endeavor involves creating an Arctic-class fleet, developing transportation routes, and constructing essential ground infrastructure, including transport and logistics hubs.

Likhachev underscored the strategic importance of establishing these hubs, saying: "The nation that establishes them first will have a key role in moderating activities within the Arctic."

Russia has already launched work to achieve this goal, he said.