Policy: – It is difficult to say what role Russia will play in the Council in the future. Now many activities have been suspended because Russia had the leadership. We must first discuss with other member states how we should handle the current situation, Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt (Ap) said in a comment to NTB on Thursday afternoon.

She adds that although Russia will still be one of the eight member states, it is not possible to have the same contact with Russia as before.

– We have had diplomatic contacts throughout this meeting, so it will be a smooth transition. Which areas Norway wants to work on in the council depends primarily on what activities we can do within the current political situation.

Arctic Ambassador Morten Høglund participated from Tromsø.

– The participation of diplomats was characterized by professionalism, said the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the atmosphere during the meeting.

Salekhard’s meeting on the Arctic Circle in northwestern Siberia marked the end of Russia’s two-year leadership.

– It is important that the Arctic Council remains. When we get the leadership, it is easier for us to conduct cooperation than when Russia had it. They’ve had it since the invasion began, so taking over now is the best way to keep the organization alive, Huitfeldt says.

– It may seem a bit surprising that Russia doesn’t just choose to be more cynical and say the Arctic Council is dead. This shows that actors on the Russian side have a vested interest in maintaining the council, says Arctic researcher Svein Vigeland Rottem of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) for post office.

Norway will now clarify with other member states how the council can resume its work in practice.

– Political contact with Russia is impossible, but we will continue to deal with Russia in an orderly and predictable manner within the Arctic Council, the Foreign Minister said.

– Norway will continue to focus on the core tasks of the Arctic Council, such as the effects of climate change, sustainable development and helping people to lead a good life in the region, said Huitfeldt .

The four main priorities of the Norwegian leaders are the sea, the climate and the environment, sustainable economic development and the inhabitants of the north. In addition, Norway will pay particular attention to Arctic youth and Arctic indigenous peoples.

– Young people and indigenous people are important to us, creating contacts with people from all over the region. Many areas in this region are struggling with displacement, so there are common challenges, the foreign minister told NTB.

The takeover took place in a digital meeting attended by the eight Arctic states, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States, and representatives of the six indigenous organizations on the council, writes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. in a Press release.

After Russia launched its war of aggression against Ukraine, the work of the Council was suspended. It resumed last June, without Russian participation.

At the meeting, board members agreed a joint statement.

(© NTB)