-NATO is a living organism adapting to new challenges, Mr. Traavik said in a meeting with representatives of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat in the NATO headquarter in Brussels last Friday. The ambassador noted that climate change and new energy challenges have spurred growing Arctic awareness and displayed a need for new knowledge within the alliance.
Arctic stability
Still, he highlighted, NATO is not a main player in the High North. –We are only interested in ensuring the High North remains a region of cooperation and stability, the way it is today, he underlined, adding that this position is unlikely to change in the years to come. Norwegian authorities have over the last couple of years promoted an enhanced NATO awareness of the Arctic. That work has been successful. In a meeting in Reykjavik late January this year NATO General Secretary Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said that “Here in the High North, climate change is not a fanciful idea – it is already a reality – a reality that brings with it a certain number of challenges, including for NATO”, the Secretary General said, BarentsObserver reported.
Barents dimension
Regional cooperation remains a key dimension in the Arctic. NATO in its Reykjavik seminar highlighted the role of the Arctic Council. In his presentation last week, Mr. Traavik also stressed the primary role of the Arctic Council and praised the Euro-Arctic Cooperation, highlighting the contributions of sub-regional actors and the successful people-to-people cooperation in the region.
Russia relations
Mr. Traavik notes that the higher level of Russian military activities in the Arctic has attracted interest but not raised concern in NATO’s Brussels headquarters. He adds that Norway wants the alliance to have good relations with Russia.
-We need open communication channels with Russia, he underlined, adding that Russia’s invasion of Georgia and diplomatic recognition of Abkhasia and South Ossetia, which triggered strong reactions among Allies and led to the suspension of the NATO-Russia Council, caused a major setback in relations. -We have wasted six months in relations with Russia, he said, adding that in the Norwegian view putting the relationship on hold was “not particularly wise or productive”.
-Rather than isolating Russia, the alliance isolated itself, Mr. Traavik said. He noted, however, that Norway is pleased that agreement has now been reached to resume cooperation in the NATO-Russia Council and that a meeting of foreign ministers will be held in the near future.
