NATO Should Follow Up Success on the Eastern Flank in the Arctic, says UK Foreign Secretary Bardufoss, Northern Norway (High North News): NATO allies should launch stronger coordination and cooperation as part of an Arctic sentry, inspired by joint efforts for enhanced presence in the Baltic Sea and on the Eastern flank, said UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to HNN last Thursday.
“Greenland Needs the EU, and the EU Needs Greenland” On Wednesday, Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, addressed the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. He emphasized the importance of the partnership with the EU and the potential for further cooperation in areas such as critical raw materials and renewable energy.
Believes the Arctic Council Will Survive Oslo (High North News): The cooperation with Russia in the Arctic Council works, reports leaders in the council's working groups. Various voices are also optimistic in regard to the council's survival. "The council’s continued existence will be in everyone’s interest", says Norwegian top diplomat Morten Høglund.
Norwegian MP Leaves Open Possibility of an Arctic Council Without Russia High North News (Oslo): The Western Arctic states must soon choose between continuing slow-moving Arctic Council work with Russian participation, or proceeding without Russia, believes Ine Eriksen Søreide, Chair of the Norwegian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Extensive Agreement Between Denmark and Greenland For the next four years, the Danish government will allocate DKK 1,6 billion for initiatives and investments in Greenland, including investments in ports and healthcare.
Norway Plans to Establish State Preparedness Hub Near the Border With Russia: "An Important Measure" The Norwegian government wants to strengthen preparedness and state presence in Eastern Finnmark, Northern Norway, with a new hub. This will boost Norway's ability to manage crises in the High North, believes Professor Natalia Andreassen.
French Foreign Minister in Nuuk: "France Stands By Greenland" The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot visited Nuuk this weekend to demonstrate France's solidarity with Greenland and Denmark, as well as to develop cooperation with the Greenlandic government.
US Military Logistics Leadership Visited the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland recently welcomed the US Armed Forces logistics leadership for meetings focused on the High North. "We discussed which areas are central in logistics planning for conducting operations in the North," says the deputy commander of the Norwegian Defense Logistical Organisation.
The Evolving Concept of Arctic Exceptionalism: From Isolation to Geopolitical Leverage "Shifts in the region’s climate, along with changing geopolitical dynamics that are increasingly affecting the region, have begun to challenge the notion of Arctic Exceptionalism, with some calling it out as an illusion. To speak plainly, did we all get tricked?" asks High North Center director Andreas Raspotnik, Arctic Intitue director Romain Chuffart and Arctic Institute associate Pavel Devyatkin.
Ministerial Visit in the High North: Norway and Italy to Strengthen Space Cooperation The Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry recently received two Italian ministers in Northern Norway. Going forward, the countries will strengthen their cooperation on space activities and critical raw materials.
Denmark’s PM Stands Up to Trump’s USA and for Arctic Security "When you demand to take over a part of the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory. When we are met by pressure and threats from our closest ally. What are we to believe about the country we have admired for so many years?" the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, recently visiting Greenland, pointed out to the US Trump administration.
Denmark’s PM Stands Up to Trump’s USA and for Arctic Security "When you demand to take over a part of the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory. When we are met by pressure and threats from our closest ally. What are we to believe about the country we have admired for so many years?" the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, recently visiting Greenland, pointed out to the US Trump administration.
Closer Cooperateon on Transport in the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland have established Platform North, a cooperation platform to focus on transport and infrastructure in the Northern Nordic region. "This is a tool to help us reach our joint objectives," says Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård to HNN.
Closer Cooperation on Transport in the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland have established Platform North, a cooperation platform to focus on transport and infrastructure in the Northern Nordic region. "This is a tool to help us reach our joint objectives," says Norwegian Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård to HNN.
Finland Welcomes New EU Commissioner: Focus On Regions Bordering Russia The European Commission Executive Vice-President, Raffaele Fitto, is visiting Finland this week. "We will discuss the situation in Eastern and Northern Finland and ways to boost vitality," says Petteri Orpo, the Finnish Prime Minister.
Norway to Consider the Future of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council as Finland Withdraws Finland recently announced its withdrawal from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025. "From the Norwegian side, we will assess the path forward for the council together with the remaining members," says State Secretary Maria Varteressian in Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Finland Withdraws From the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council after 2025 and rather invest in other formats for cooperation in the North. The country now has an idea about designing a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
US, Canada, and Finland Formalize Cooperation on Polar Icebreakers The US, Canada, and Finland recently signed a memorandum of understanding to begin working together on the design and construction of polar icebreakers. “This is a testament to the strength of allied cooperation in addressing strategic challenges,” say the parties.
“If We Lose the Arctic Council, It Is Lost Forever” Reykjavik (High North News): As Norway's chairship of the Arctic Council embarks on its final six months, it is time to look back on the road that was forged as they walked, when they were handed a broken council from a Russia at war.
First Canada-Nordic Strategic Dialogue: "Key to a Safer Future For Us in The Region" In the very first strategic dialogue between Canada and the Nordic countries, which took place in New York and Nunavut, Canada, the six Arctic nations agreed to face the ever-changing geopolitical challenges together by strengthening Canada's security relationship with Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
"The Cooperation Between Russia and China in the Arctic Is Still Limited" Researchers at the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies believe the cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic is still limited despite significant focus and increased attention. "The Arctic is not a priority for China, while Russia fears Chinese influence in this strategically important region," writes Ingvill Moe Elgsaas and Rebekka Åsnes Sagild.
The EU Enters Into New Era of Cooperation With the Faroe Islands and Greenland The EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, recently visited the Faroe Islands and Greenland to form closer ties between the union and the countries' self-government authorities. Several agreements were signed, and von der Leyen officially opened the EU's new office in Nuuk.
The Arctic Council With New Decisive Step Forward All Arctic countries agree that the Arctic Council's working groups can resume meetings in a virtual format. “This is critical in enabling the council to effectively respond to rapid climate change and other urgent issues,” says Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
Seeking Consensus for More Efficient Arctic Cooperation Russia suspends payments to the Arctic Council until it resumes "full-fledged work." Norway seeks to achieve agreement among all member states on more efficient interaction. "We have recently sent out a proposal for new guidelines," states Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
“Without Russia, the Arctic Council Will Not Survive” Tromsø (High North News): Can the Arctic Council survive Russia's war in Ukraine? Not without Russia, says Arctic Council expert Svein Vigeland Rottem. "Russia is, and has always been, a constructive member of the Council," assures Norway's Senior Arctic Official Solveig Rossebø.
"The Need for Cooperation is Stronger Than Ever" "The Arctic, and our future, has become the subject of increased attention during the past decade, including by non Arctic states and organizations. Almost everyone now has an Arctic strategy, or policy. Except for a Pan Arctic policy statement coming from the people who actually live here in the Arctic", writes Paul Fuhs, Northern Forum Goodwill Ambassador.
Icelanders Cheer for Nordic Cooperation Icelanders are most positive about cooperation in the Nordic countries, shows a survey carried out for Iceland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Support for the country's NATO membership and defense cooperation with the USA has decreased somewhat since last year.
Russia and China Discussed Further Arctic Cooperation – Also Within the Arctic Council The realization of Russian-Chinese joint projects in the Arctic was recently discussed by the countries' Arctic diplomats. Energy, science, transport, and infrastructure were central topics, as well as the prospects for further cooperation within the Arctic Council.
Light at the End of the Tunnel for the Arctic Council All Arctic countries have agreed on new guidelines that allow the Arctic Council's working groups to resume their activities. "This is an important breakthrough," says Morten Høglund, who leads the council under Norway's chairship.
Joint Norwegian-Russian Research Voyage in the Barents Sea The research cooperation between Norway and Russia is one of the few joint platforms of collaboration that still exist after Russia's invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago. Now, research ships from Norway and Russia are on their annual research voyage in the Barents Sea.
The Arctic On the Agenda As Norwegian Defense Leaders Visit US Northern Command Increased cooperation, coordination of Arctic activities, and a shared understanding of the security policy situation were central topics for discussion as Norwegian and American defense leaders met at the US Northern Command headquarters in the US.
Lavrov: "The Arctic Council’s Future Depends on Whether a Civilized Dialogue Can Continue" Last week, Russia transferred the chairship of the Arctic Council to Norway. A way forward for the council requires joint efforts for dialogue to preserve the Arctic as a peaceful and stable region with constructive cooperation, says the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Lavrov: "The Arctic Council’s Future Depends on Whether a Civilized Dialogue Can Continue" Last week, Russia transferred the chairship of the Arctic Council to Norway. A way forward for the council requires joint efforts for dialogue to preserve the Arctic as a peaceful and stable region with constructive cooperation, says the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Russia: “The Risk of Weakening the Arctic Council Should Not Be Underestimated” On Thursday, Norway took over the Chairship of the Arctic Council from Russia. "The future of the council and cooperation within this format under Norwegian chairship appear uncertain," said Nikolay Korchunov, Russian Arctic Ambassador, to High North News on Wednesday.
Russia With Expert Support for Development of Research Station With BRICS on Svalbard Russia's company on Svalbard, Trust Arktikugol, has recently entered into a strategic partnership with a university in Arkhangelsk. The company will actively develop a research station together with the BRICS states and needs support in this work, says the director.
Russia's Top Arctic Diplomat: Long-Term Cooperation in the Arctic Requires Conditions Now Lost Even if the Arctic Council’s activities are resumed, the development of long-term cooperation with the Western Arctic states is hard to imagine, says Nikolay Korchunov, Russia's Arctic Ambassador. He points to a lack of trust.
Is There Any Reason at All to Hold On to Arctic Cooperation? (Commentary) Those who might believe that the cooperation between the Arctic states no longer has any value, have forgotten to tell the Arctic heads of state. The need for cooperation in the north was lifted to new heights during the High North Dialogue conference.
Russia Wants to Cooperate With BRICS Countries on Research on Svalbard Trust Arktikugol, the Russian state-owned company on Svalbard, will develop an international Arctic science station in cooperation with the BRICS countries – Brazil, India, China, and South Africa. That is announced by Russia's Minister of the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic.
Another BRICS in the Wall – Or How Walls Are Replacing Cooperation in the Arctic A mere month before Norway is due to take over the Arctic Council, 15 Russian diplomats are expelled from Norway. At the same time, another powerful international alliance is slowly, but systematically moving into the Arctic.
Upcoming Arctic Council Chairship: Important to Have Some Cooperation With Russia on Climate Tromsø (High North News): Norway's upcoming chairship of the Arctic Council is expected to be one of the council's most important. Despite a demanding international situation, Norway is fighting for the council's survival.
Arctic Indigenous Leaders: We Did Not Shut Down Anchorage (High North News): Although the Arctic Council's work was put on hold due to the Russian war in Ukraine, the indigenous working groups continued. Now they express concern about the gaps in environmental data from Russia and the welfare of their Russian families.
Norwegian PM Støre: We Should Be Able to Find Solutions With Russia Tromsø, Northern Norway: Norway is used to dealing with Russia and finding solutions to important issues, says the Norwegian PM. A strong trust in the Norwegian Russia competence was common among several researchers, politicians, and officials that attended the Arctic Frontiers conference.
Allied and Norwegian Forces Prepare for the Largest Military Exercise in Norway in 2023 In early March, 10,000 Norwegian and allied soldiers will train to defend Norway in the winter exercise Joint Viking. Soldiers from the US, the Netherlands, and the UK are already preparing and training in Northern Norway.
Norwegian MFA: "We Need This Forum in These Times" Tromsø, Northern Norway:Mayors from across the Arctic met in Tromsø, Northern Norway to officially open the Arctic Mayors’ Forum Secretariat.
The Norwegian Barents Secretariat Closes Its Offices in Russia The war in Ukraine has reduced the workload and made it more difficult to maintain the offices in Russia," says Lars Georg Fordal, leader of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat.
"Russians in Norway Are Not to Be Blamed for Kreml’s Political Choices" Rana and Sortland municipality in Northern Norway have chosen to keep their friendship city agreements with Russia in a frozen state in the hope of a warmer climate for cooperation after the war.
