FOREIGN LEGAL EXPERIENCE ESTABLISHING GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS FOR STRAIGHT BASELINES IN THE ARCTIC

In the context of ensuring economic and other interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic the problem of interpretation and implementation of legal rules on baselines in the Arctic Ocean has priority importance for Russia. The Russian Federation has the right to designate the geographical coordinates of points, the connection of which forms new straight baselines that are permissible under the correct interpretation of the applicable international legal norms, taking into account relevant international experience. The authors examine international legal provisions on baselines, theoretically evaluate practice of the foreign Arctic states to establish the baselines along their coasts in the Arctic Ocean. The position of these states in connection with the establishing by them straight baselines, taking into account the irregularity and tortuosity of a coastline, the presence of islands along the coast or in immediate vicinity from it, the general direction of a coastline, and other geographical characteristics of the relevant Arctic coast is legally appreciated. It is shown how the establishment of straight baselines affects the spatial scope of sovereignty and the sovereign rights of the Arctic states. The registry of basic geographical and other factors referred to by those Arctic states, who have established straight baselines along the Arctic coast, is designated.

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