Transforming Northern Sea Route into year-round corridor key priority of maritime policy - Russian presidential aide

SALEKHARD. Aug 26 (Interfax) - Transforming the Northern Sea Route into a secure year-round corridor is a key priority of Russia's maritime policy, Russian presidential aide, Maritime Board Chairman Nikolai Patrushev said.

"The Arctic region has always had a special economic, scientific, cultural and political significance to our country. Rational development of Arctic natural resources, infrastructural development of the region, and transformation of the Northern Sea Route into a secure year-round competitive national sea corridor are key priorities of the national maritime policy," Patrushev said in his opening remarks at a meeting of the Council for Protection of Russian National Interests in the Arctic.

He said the meeting would address ensuring security along the Northern Sea Route and the development of rescue infrastructure in the Russian Arctic.