Finland’s Foreign Minister outlined the new Arctic Policy in his keynote speech (pdf) at the 20th anniversary seminar of the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi on Tuesday.
He said northern Finland is organically linked to the north of Norway and Russia. – We have to make sure that Finnish businesses are able to make full of their proximity to globally important economic possibilities (…) We must also be ready to improve logistics in Finland and across borders, Stubb said.
Stubb said that Norway and Russia are leading the dash to exploit the energy resources in the Arctic. – Finland already has major technological expertice, such as the world’s best ice laboratory and world renowned expertise in offshore technology. We have to better promote and market our existing knowledge and innovating new technologies, Stubb told the audience at the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi.
The Foreign Minister highlighted environmental questions as a key aspect of Finland’s Arctic challenge.
- Environmental concerns must not be forgotten even amidst all the lucrative new possibilities. Our goal should be sustainable development of the Arctic, Stubb said.
Cooperation is another key aspect in Finland’s Arctic strategy. In two weeks time, Alexsander Stubb goes to Murmansk to participate at the Barents Euro-Arctic Council meeting.
– Barents cooperation is an excellent example of practical cooperation that extends beyond borders and has a regional aspect.
- I am happy to recognize the role played by the northern regions of Finland in developing concrete cross-border action. I hope we will be able to further promote practical co-operation in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council meeting in Murmansk next month, Stubb said.
The Barents Council meeting in Murmansk is on the 15th of October. Russia is the chair country of the Barents Council until Sergey Lavrov will hand over the chairmanship to Sweden’s Carl Bildt in Murmansk.