ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FACTORS OF INTEGRATION PROCESSES IN THE ARCTIC ZONE OF RUSSIA

Abstract

During many centuries the development of the Arctic region is of considerable interest both for private companies and national states. Although 5 countries have direct access to the Arctic: Russia, Norway, Canada, USA (Alaska), Denmark (Greenland), other countries also demonstrate their interest toward the Arctic zone: Japan, China, countries of Scandinavia and Western Europe. Given the importance of the Arctic natural environment and ecosystem, transport length and reserves of various raw materials, a number of countries impose on the Russian Federation the requirement of access to the Arctic due to its global impact. At the same time, the Northern Sea Route and the Russian-Chinese cooperation project within the framework of the Ice Silk Road reflect Russia's readiness to defend its interests on the State territory, including the Arctic shelf. The article discusses the main problems and factors of integration in the framework of the development of the Arctic zone, primarily from the standpoint of economic and management approaches to the modernization of infrastructure in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The article also discusses the factors related to the search for resources for technical modernization and equipping of such a specific region, the interpenetration of effects in the Arctic ecosystem and the globe, globalization and the interests of countries and private corporations. As a result, the article explains the necessity of finding and selecting the forms of integration in the development of the Arctic, taking into account the profitability of investment projects and the preservation of the natural environment and ecological diversity, maintaining stable equilibrium and ensure the programs of development of regions in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.