Keeping a balance between extraction of resources and conservation of the fragile ecosystem is a key priority for Russia, President Vladimir Putin says.

In a welcome address to the participants of a conference on cooperation and development in the Arctic that opened in Arkhangelsk on Tuesday, Putin said that Russia has a special responsibility for the future of the Arctic:

“With almost a third of the country belonging to the Far North, Russia has a special responsibility for the Arctic. One of our priorities is to keep the balance between the economic activity and preservation of the unique environment, respect for the culture and traditional way of life of indigenous peoples,” Putin said in a greeting that was read by Secretary of Russia’s Safety Council Nikolay Patrushev, TASS reports.

Putin marked that Russia favoured the strengthening of cooperation with the countries members of the Arctic Council on all directions.

He said natural processes in the region were directly influencing the climate and ecology of the whole planet. Putin also expressed confidence that practical recommendations for the efficient settlement of tasks facing the international community in the Arctic would emerge at the conference.