NWT/NUNAVUT - In an Ottawa press conference last Friday, Foreign Affairs minister Lawrence Cannon released a report on Arctic foreign policy, which prioritizes sovereignty as "the first and most important pillar towards recognizing the potential of Canada's Arctic."

This, according to the report, is to be accomplished by resolving border issues in the Arctic Ocean, which were not addressed by previous governments.

"Our vision for the Arctic is a stable, rules-based region, with clearly defined boundaries," the foreign policy statement says.

Cannon said boundary disputes will be resolved through a United Nations commission.

According to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, countries control resources under their coastal waters up to 200 nautical miles from shore. Claims can be expanded further if countries can prove their area is connected to the continental shelf. Such claims must be submitted with scientific proof by 2013.

"Our Canadian government will give high priority to our work on security recognition for the full extent of the extended continental shelf," Cannon announced at the conference.

"We will be ready to meet the UN 2013 deadline for data submission.

The other three "pillars" of the policy are economic and social development, protecting the environment and improving and devolving government.

In a press release, Premier Eva Aariak stated the last of the policy's four "pillars" was the one that spoke most loudly to Nunavummiut.

"This document clearly identifies the importance of the 'human dimension' and nowhere is this more important than in gaining control over our Crown land, natural resources, and the benefits that come from development activity," she stated.

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