American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States and Canada support the status of the Arctic as a region of peaceful cooperation. Bibinsen announced this before the meeting in Reykjavik with the head of the Canadian Foreign Ministry Mark Garno, TASS reports.
Blinken stressed that the United States and Canada pledged together to maintain the status of the Arctic as a platform of peaceful cooperation and positive actions. Countries want to work on the sustainable development of the region, to deal with climate change, as well as promote science and take care of the interests and well-being of indigenous peoples. “We are looking forward to unite in the work done by Iceland, and then prepare for the transfer of the chairmanship of Russia,” added Blinken.
Garno, in turn, stressed the significance of accounting for the interests of indigenous peoples and the development of the region in climate change. In his opinion, Canada and the United States associate strong relations, including commitments to maintain the safety of the Arctic. The diplomat noted that now states seek to overcome the economic consequences of the pandemic.
The Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council (AC) will be held on May 19-20 in Reykjavik. In particular, Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. At a meeting in the capital of Iceland, the chairmanship of the speakers for the period 2021-2023 will move from Iceland to Russia. CU included Denmark, Iceland, Canada, Norway, Russia, USA, Finland and Sweden. The status of observers in the Council has 12 non-Arctic countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, India, China and France.