Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said his country wants to become member of the organisation because of “the geopolitical and strategic importance of the Arctic region”, Rosbaltnord.ru reports with reference to Izvestia.
The country is not alone. According to Norwegian Ambassador to the organisation, Karsten Klepsvik, also nations like China, Great Britain, Spain and France would like to join the international collaborative body.
Mr. Klepsvik chairs the organisation’s Senior Arctic Officials body in Norway’s current chairmanship period.
Italy and the other interested countries might not get membership, but could still strengthen their influence in the organisation. There are “several alternatives to full membership with the right of veto, e.g. acting as advisors but without voting rights”, Mr. Klepsvik says.
-Incorporating these countries into our work represents a major challenge but they have a great deal to offer on the research front and in terms of resources. China has indicated its willingness to put major resources into this, for example,” he says to the Arctic Council press service.
Along with China, seven other non-Arctic countries have observer status: Italy, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Poland and Spain.
Read more about the Arctic Council on the organisation’s website
