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Arctic mono industrial cities should have access to social infrastructure— envoy

ST. PETERSBURG, March 14. /TASS/. The mono industrial cities, which are north of the Polar Circle, should have access to social infrastructures and transport communication with central Russia, presidential envoy to the North-Western Federal District, Nikolai Tsukanov, told the Arctic media’s forum.

The North-Western Federal District has four of Russia’s eight Arctic regions: the Arkhangelsk region, the Murmansk region, the Republic of Komi and the Nenets Autonomous District.

Taking into account the modern political and economic challenges, the Arctic should develop complex projects of the "backbone zones," where should be used instruments of territorial and industrial development, partnership between the state and businesses, including in offering new high-productivity jobs," he said in a welcome address. "It is especially important for the mono industrial cities, which are located north of the Polar Circle."

"Thus, it is necessary to provide by common effort sustainable, gradual development of the territories, equal and absolute access for the local people to social infrastructures, to transport communication with central Russian regions," the presidential envoy said.

A new law on the Arctic, which may be adopted soon, he continued, would contain a new program for social and economic development of the Arctic zone.

The media forum in St. Petersburg will be working from Tuesday to Wednesday on the base of the St. Petersburg State University and the TASS North-West regional information center. The forum’s events will feature representatives of the scientific community, the media, and non-governmental organizations.