STOCKHOLM, Sweden -- The following information was released by the Government of Sweden:
How should the world respond to climate change in the Arctic? And how should we deal with increased demand for the natural resources hidden below the ice? This week, foreign ministers from the countries surrounding the North Pole are to meet to discuss these and other decisive issues facing the region. The meeting, which takes place on 12 May in the Greenland capital, Nuuk, is part of the work of the Arctic Council, which Sweden is soon to lead.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt arrives in Greenland on Wednesday evening. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergej Lavrov are also expected to attend the meeting. The five Nordic countries, along with the US, Russia, Canada and representatives of indigenous peoples, participate in the Arctic Council. Among the issues on the agenda are the momentous changes in the climate, the life of indigenous peoples, and how joint sea rescue operations can be coordinated.
The climate issue in particular is especially acute in the Arctic, since temperatures have risen twice as fast there compared with the rest of the world. And when the ice melts, larger areas are opened up to exploitation. During the two-year Swedish Chairmanship, which begins when the foreign ministers meeting is rounded up on Thursday, Sweden wants to see a coherent policy for dealing with these issues.
"The Arctic is facing decisive changes at present. A responsible, joint policy for the region is the alpha and omega, and not only for the countries around the North Pole," says Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt.
On Thursday, the same day as the ministerial meeting, Sweden is to launch the priorities for its Chairmanship as well as a national strategy for the Arctic. The texts will be posted on ud.se/arctic on Thursday morning, just after 09.00.
There will be opportunities for telephone interviews with Carl Bildt and Arctic Ambassador Gustaf Lind in connection with the ministerial meeting. Please contact Press Secretary Anna Charlotta Johansson for more information. A press conference will be held in connection with the meeting in Nuuk when Sweden assumes the Chairmanship, at approximately 17.00 (local time) on Thursday.
Video footage from the press conference, as well as interviews with Carl Bildt and other participating foreign ministers, will be posted on thenewsmarket.com/swedenchannel. If the internet connection in Nuuk allows, this will material be posted on Thursday afternoon and evening (Swedish time).
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