Abstract (eng)
The subject of this thesis is the northernmost region of the earth – the Arctic. While the land is already divided amongst all neighbouring states, the Arctic Ocean is still predominantly perceived as international waters. However, the ocean is becoming more and more interesting, as rich resources are expected underneath the sea as well as new sea routes emerge with the melting of the ice. Denmark/Greenland, Canada, Norway, Russia and the USA intend to extend their sovereignty to parts of the Arctic Ocean, so they can pursue their geopolitical aims.
The foundation of this thesis is the “United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea“, abbreviated as UNCLOS. UNCLOS regulates the division and utilization of the sea according to international law. Art. 57 UNCLOS allows every coastal state to claim an Exclusive Economic Zone, which can reach up to 200 nm into the sea and is measured from the baselines. Beyond the 200 nm there are certain rights of use for the continental shelf. These rights are regulated by Art. 76 UNCLOS. The five coastal states mentioned above refer to this very article.
The main objective of this thesis is to answer the question, how the Arctic Ocean will be divided according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Thus, UNCLOS by itself is examined as well as the five neighboring countries’ claims, conformable to Art. 76 UNCLOS. Moreover, the Arctic strategies of all states concerned are subject matters.