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Russia, Canada discuss cooperation in Arctic

15 September 2011 22:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Russian and Canadian military officials held talks here on cooperation in the Arctic region Thursday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia Nikolai Makarov and Chief of Defense Staff of the Canadian Forces Walter Natynchyk agreed in the talks that the Arctic is a common issue for bilateral cooperation and the military and civilian rescue operations in that region should be conducted with joint efforts.

The two sides said both Moscow and Ottawa have stood against the Arctic’s militarization.

"The Arctic should be a zone of cooperation and security," Makarov was quoted by local media as saying.

Walter Natynchyk said the two countries must cooperate in providing peace and security, and protecting environment in the Arctic.

Both sides also discussed situation in the North Africa and Middle East, as well as European security.

They also agreed to exchange visits of their warships between Canada’s Vancouver and the Murmansk port of Russia.

The visiting Canadian delegation visited several military facilities in Moscow Wednesday.