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China Times 2008.05.30
Wang Jiayuan / Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 29th
Five Arctic Ocean coastal countries, including the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark, unanimously agreed on the 28th that their disputes over sovereignty in the Arctic seabed will be arbitrated by the United Nations.
The ministers of the five countries held a two-day meeting in Greenland, Denmark. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte said after the meeting concluded yesterday: "We confirm our commitment to resolving any potential overlapping sovereignty disputes in an orderly manner."
The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that the North Pole and its surrounding areas do not belong to any country, although coastal states enjoy a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. If their continental shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles, they also have control over the extended seabed.
Due to the above provisions, the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries have overlapping sovereignty disputes over the Arctic region. Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark are all collecting evidence to prove that their continental shelves extend toward the North Pole.
The United States has not yet ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Negroponte urged the U.S. Congress to approve it as soon as possible. Additionally, the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries unanimously stated that there is no need to conclude a new special international treaty for the Arctic region.
In August last year, Russia "planted a flag" on the seabed 4,000 meters below the North Pole, strongly asserting sovereignty, which raised concerns about countries competing for Arctic seabed mineral resources.
It is currently known that the Arctic seabed is rich in oil and natural gas, with reserves potentially accounting for a quarter of the world's undiscovered reserves.
Environmental groups were not invited to the meeting held in Greenland. They criticized the continuous actions of the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries in competing for the Arctic, which they believe will damage the region's unique animal habitats. Environmental groups called for an international treaty similar to the one governing Antarctica, prohibiting military activities and mining in the Arctic region.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0504+112008053000525,00. html
Arctic Seabed Dispute: 5 Nations Seek UN Arbitration
Wang Jiayuan / Comprehensive Foreign News Report on the 29th
Five Arctic Ocean coastal countries, including the United States, Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark, unanimously agreed on the 28th that their disputes over sovereignty in the Arctic seabed will be arbitrated by the United Nations.
The ministers of the five countries held a two-day meeting in Greenland, Denmark. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte said after the meeting concluded yesterday: "We confirm our commitment to resolving any potential overlapping sovereignty disputes in an orderly manner."
The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that the North Pole and its surrounding areas do not belong to any country, although coastal states enjoy a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. If their continental shelf extends beyond 200 nautical miles, they also have control over the extended seabed.
Due to the above provisions, the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries have overlapping sovereignty disputes over the Arctic region. Russia, Canada, Norway, and Denmark are all collecting evidence to prove that their continental shelves extend toward the North Pole.
The United States has not yet ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Negroponte urged the U.S. Congress to approve it as soon as possible. Additionally, the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries unanimously stated that there is no need to conclude a new special international treaty for the Arctic region.
In August last year, Russia "planted a flag" on the seabed 4,000 meters below the North Pole, strongly asserting sovereignty, which raised concerns about countries competing for Arctic seabed mineral resources.
It is currently known that the Arctic seabed is rich in oil and natural gas, with reserves potentially accounting for a quarter of the world's undiscovered reserves.
Environmental groups were not invited to the meeting held in Greenland. They criticized the continuous actions of the five Arctic Ocean coastal countries in competing for the Arctic, which they believe will damage the region's unique animal habitats. Environmental groups called for an international treaty similar to the one governing Antarctica, prohibiting military activities and mining in the Arctic region.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ 2……0504+112008053000525,00. html