TASS, October 5. Karelia’s government suggested building a new sea port and a passenger terminal in Belomorsk on the White Sea, as well as upgrading the White Sea - Baltic Canal for Arctic’s further development. These topics were on agenda of a meeting, which Deputy Prime Minister, Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev chaired on Thursday, press service of Karelia’s head said.
"In line with the objective to make an Arctic backbone zone in Karelia, we have outlined key directions and projects, which should be aimed at development of the Arctic macro region," the press service quoted Karelia’s Head Artur Parfyonchikov as saying.
The regional official spoke about complex projects, including those on construction of a new sea port and a passenger terminal in Belomorsk, organization of a passenger transport connection between Belomorsk and Solovki, upgrading of the White Sea - Baltic Canal, construction of two hydropower plants and reconstruction of a road from Kochkoma, via Tiksha, Ledmozero and Kostomuksha towards the state border. The region also suggested including into the Arctic’s development program projects in forestry, fishing and mining - development of the Lobash-1 gold-copper deposit and construction of a mining plant at the Lobash molybdenum deposit.
"Implementation of the mentioned projects could make a base for the Karelian backbone zone and will have a multiplicative effect on development of the Russian Arctic territories," the regional head said.
On June 27, 2017, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed an order, stating the Russian Arctic zone’s terrestrial area unites the Belomorsky, Loukhsky and Kemsky districts. Karelia’s authorities insist three more districts should be included there - they are located in Karelia’s north and have similar natural and climate conditions.