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Calais nods in agreement.
“There is a lot we can work on in all areas and to continue to build on during the Swedish and Danish leadership as well”, says Calais.
Taken over
The two ambassadors says the war has overshadowed the climate crisis in the Arctic.
“Military and security questions has taken over the Arctic agenda. It is like it is no longer room for anything else”, says Winkler about the security focus that has dominated the discussion since Russias invasion of Ukraine over a year ago.
“But we still have environmental issues, the “old” challenges are still there”, says Winkler, supported by his Swedish colleague.
“Before the war, there was a lot of focus on climate change and how it affects the Arctic and not least the challenges this entails for the indigenous people. This focus is almost gone and it is very unfortunate and problematic, says Calais and adds that the Arctic is the epicenter of the climate crisis.
“The effects of climate change are very noticeable here both on the environment and for the population.”
Very concerned
“The focus has been on military threats, but we have to zoom out. We do not have a war or a race for recourses in the Arctic, what we are seeing is the relationship between Russia and the West being played out in the Arctic”, says Louise Calais.
She says that the situation has had the Arctic Council very concerned, as the council found itself in a very good place before the war when Iceland transferred the chairship to Russia.
“But we are committed long term to preserve and protect the structures of the council, and we hope that Norway’s chairship will mean that we can resume more the work of the council.”
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