Actual legal situation and international controversy concerning the continental shelf in the arctic zone

Abstract

The proposed article briefly presents the prehistory of these problems, the established approaches to determining the legal status of the Arctic continental shelf, so the importance of resolving existing differences between the Arctic states The authors of the article note that the motivation of the Russian Federation according to determination and legal protection of their external borders of the continental shelf in the Arctic is inspired by the growth of the scientific researches and the conduction of various kinds of expeditions, not only by the Arctic states, but also by leading European and Asian countries (Germany, China, etc.), to search for evidence in order to review the existing maritime borders. In conclusion, the article notes that only the peaceful settlement of disputes, compliance with the rules of International Law and observation of the concluded interstate agreements are the key to global stability, because the clash of interests in the Arctic can lead to unpredictable consequences for many states and doesn't exclude the occurrence of military conflicts.