Permanent State Secretary Matti Anttonen: Arctic cooperation enhances trust
The current international political situation is tense and improvements in the relations between the great powers are not likely to occur in the short term. Even when discussion in other forums has become heated or downright impossible, the Arctic Council provides a channel for maintaining dialogue.
The international situation was tense already when Finland took over the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from the United States a year ago. Seven out of the eight Member States of the Council had imposed economic sanctions on Russia. Behind the sanctions lie the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the hostilities in Eastern Ukraine. The situation has not become any easier during the past year. The confrontation of the Cold War looms in the background.
"Despite the tense situation, Finland strives to manage the Chairmanship of the Arctic Council in the best possible manner," Permanent State Secretary Anttonen said at a national Arctic Forum held at the House of the Estates.
The priorities of the Finnish Chairmanship – environmental protection, meteorological cooperation, connectivity and education – have been received well. Russia and the United States have also participated in the Arctic cooperation in a constructive manner. The Council is currently preparing its first strategy which will guide its work until the 2030s. "The objective is to adopt the strategy at the Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council in Rovaniemi next year," Anttonen said.
The Arctic Council is a unique forum for cooperation. Eight states and six indigenous people's organisations, including the Saami Council, gather around the same table to decide on guidelines for the Arctic cooperation. The cooperation is also attended by 12 Observer States, 28 international organisations and the European Union. The Arctic Council provides a channel for dialogue even in situations where discussion between the great powers has become heated or downright impossible in other forums.
"Against this background, it can be said that the Arctic Council is a confidence building measure", Anttonen said.
René Söderman
Senior Adviser for Arctic Affairs