Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday called on Arctic states to include military issues in their talks on the future of the region.
"It is important to expand our good relations with the Arctic Council to include the military sector," Lavrov said in a statement at the Arctic Council meeting in Reykjavik.
The Arctic Council was created in 1996 to establish peaceful dialogue between Arctic countries and indigenous peoples on issues such as environmental protection and sustainable development, but military and security issues were not included.
Tensions have been building in the Arctic region in recent years, with governments warning of each other's military activity.
Lavrov on Monday suggested that members of the council have the heads of their respected forces meet regularly to resolve any disagreements that may arise.
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