Nordic nations criticize Canada for not inviting them to Arctic meeting
By APTuesday, March 30, 2010
Nordic nations criticize Canada for Arctic snub
STOCKHOLM — Two Nordic nations criticized Canada on Tuesday for not inviting them to a meeting of Arctic countries, saying the gathering could undermine the work of the broader Arctic Council.
Sweden and Finland regretted that they and Iceland were left out of the Arctic Coastal meeting in Quebec. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed similar concerns at the meeting Monday. Only the U.S., Canada, Russia, Denmark and Norway were invited.
“We regret that Canada has decided to invite only five of the eight Arctic nations to this meeting,” Swedish Foreign Ministry spokesman Teo Zetterman said.
Arctic nations have competing claims in the region, which is believed to be rich in minerals and petroleum and is opening up for exploration because of climate change.
Zetterman said Sweden believes that Arctic issues should be dealt with in the eight-nation Arctic Council, which meets regularly and also includes indigenous groups.
Sweden and Finland, which do not have Arctic coastlines, said they are worried the meeting in Canada could raise questions about the political commitment toward the council.
“We are worried that it might harm the role of the Arctic Council as a vehicle of trans-Atlantic and circumpolar cooperation,” Finnish Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Anna-Maria Liukko said.
She said that Finland’s “messages of concern” had been expressed to the various parties several times in the past.
Iceland has previously protested being excluded from the meeting, which took place before a summit of foreign ministers from the Group of Eight nations.
Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon said Monday he thought all the participants made a clear distinction about the role of the Arctic Council and the responsibilities of Arctic coastal states.
He said the meeting was not meant to replace or undermine the Arctic Council.
Clinton said she had been contacted by representatives of indigenous groups who were disappointed they were not invited, according to prepared remarks. She also said that Sweden, Finland and Iceland had similar concerns.
“Significant international discussions on Arctic issues should include those who have legitimate interests in the region,” Clinton said.
Associated Press Writer Matti Huuhtanen in Helsinki and Rob Gillies in Chelsea, Quebec, contributed to this report.
