Foreign Minister Stubb proposes organizing a highest level Arctic Conference
Press Release 195/2010
17 June 2010
Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb proposes an exclusive summit for the Arctic issues. According to Stubb, an Arctic summit would allow taking into account the wider significance of the region in the future. “This Arctic summit would be the first of its kind. It would give new direction to the Arctic cooperation and become a milestone in the development of the Arctic Council," Minister Stubb says.
Foreign Minister Stubb addressed the future of the Arctic region in a Nato seminar organised by the Parliament on Thursday, 17 June.
He presented the newly finished Finland's Arctic Strategy and elaborated on the importance of the Arctic Council. As central issues for the region's future, Stubb mentioned the new shipping routes of the Arctic Ocean, the delicate Arctic environment, and the economic outlook for the Barents region.
Strengthening of the Arctic Council as the key Arctic cooperation structure has been brought out by many countries. Stubb presented six key issues in support of strengthening the Council. The Arctic has emerged to the centre of world politics, and many countries are looking into the North. Finland adopted its strategy for the Arctic region in the beginning of June.
Further information: Ambassador Hannu Halinen, Arctic Affairs, Tel. +358 40 178 2053, and Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, Press Attaché to the Minister, tel. +358 40 732 8340