Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has rejected talk of an impending battle for control of the Arctic region's mineral resources.He told an international conference in Moscow he was confident the region's resources could be exploited in a spirit of partnership.
Russia believes the UN will recognise its claim to much of the Arctic seabed.
The scramble for resources has been set in motion partly by improved access caused by the melting of polar ice.Russia, Norway, Canada, Denmark and the US have all laid claims to territory in the region.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11397671
Note: 23 September 2010 Last updated at 12:19 GMT