MURMANSK, March 27. /TASS/. The United States is attempting to consolidate its influence in the Arctic and establish itself as the dominant power in the region, according to Anton Kobyakov, a Russian presidential adviser and executive secretary of the organizing committee for the International Arctic Forum.

"There is a heated debate surrounding Washington's efforts to monopolize its influence in the Arctic and thereby become the largest Arctic power. Of particular concern in this context is the legal nihilism exhibited by the United States," he stated.

Kobyakov noted that the United States, while not a signatory to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has nonetheless invoked its provisions to assert claims over Arctic territories, water areas, and oil-and gas-rich continental shelves.

The 6th International Arctic Forum, titled Arctic - Territory of Dialogue, is being held for the first time in the Murmansk Region on March 26-27. This Forum has become a key platform for discussing critical issues related to the socio-economic development of Arctic territories and for developing multilevel, multilateral mechanisms for the joint exploration and effective utilization of the region's substantial resource potential. One of the main focuses of the forum is the development of the Northern Sea Route, in celebration of the route’s 500th anniversary.

TASS serves as the Forum’s information partner.