Russia denies creation of Arctic forces
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Russia has denied the alleged plans to set up special Arctic forces, Russian Foreign Ministry's special envoy in the Arctic Council said on Monday.
"Foundation of special Arctic forces is not what Russia plans...All the talks about militarization of Arctic have nothing to do with reality," Anton Vasiliev said as quoted by the Interfax news agency.
He also noted that Russia kept preparations works supporting its claim on the Arctic shelf, which would be considered by the United Nations in 2014.
Moscow is scheduled to host an international conference titled "Arctic: territory for dialogue" this week. The conference will be attended by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Prince of Monaco Albert II, Iceland President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson and experts from circumpolar countries.
Arctic Council with eight member countries was established in 1996.
