Newsletter: Uncertain Future in the North?
Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde spoke at the 2019 Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty Article XIV Conference at United Nations Headquarters in New York,USA on 25 September 2019. (Foto: CTBTO)
This week has been characterized by Nordic minister statements, environment and conflict potential in the High North – but peace work has also entered the stage.
We have, for instance, covered the tense security policy situation in the High North, which is connected to, amongst others, increased military tension in the Baltic Sea region and Sweden.
A Swedish military analyst says to High North News that the conflict between Russia and the West has repercussions in this North European sea area and will also spill over further north.
The foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland are preparing a response to a letter received from Russia on Monday in which Russia requires security guarantees from OSCE members.
Foreign or district policy?
Our Editor-in-Chief Arne O. Holm also investigates the High North policy of the still-quite-new Norwegian government in light of recent tensions. He writes that the former Solberg government’s most visible High North initiative was subsidizing rich Norwegians wanting to move to the rural Arctic municipality of Bø in Vesterålen to benefit from local wealth tax cuts.
As for Støre, says Holm, “The PM’s description of the problems [in the High North] is precise. His solutions are hopeful and vague.”
Arctic peace work – and energy transition
Perhaps peace work is more important than ever – no less so in the Arctic. That appears to be the meaning of the four Norwegian MP’s from the parliament’s delegation for Arctic parliamentary co-operation, who have nominated the Arctic Council to the Nobel Peace Prize.
In Longyearbyen, the population faces a major transition when it comes to business, energy, and securing the town against natural disasters in a new and warmer climate.
Our Svalbard journalist Line Nagell Ylvisåker met with the Norwegian Climate and Environment Minister in Longyearbyen and had a conversation about what will be important for the future of the archipelago in the coming months and years.
On behalf of the editorial staff I thank you for following us, for sharing and getting involved – and for tipping us off!
We wish you all the best for the weekend!
Trine Jonassen,
News Editor, High North News