US discusses Arctic security with allies — Asharq Al-Awsat
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed investments in Arctic security with representatives of the Arctic region in New York ahead of the planned signing of an agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland. The meeting took place on September 21 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
As Asharq Al-Awsat reports, the talks involved the top diplomats of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands and Greenland. US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that the allies agreed on the need for further investment to protect the Arctic and deter strategic competitors.
Military and economic capabilities
According to Pigott, the participants discussed greater responsibility for security in the Arctic through the development of sovereign military and economic capabilities, protection of investments, and funding for resilient critical infrastructure. It is intended to ensure reliable access to the region and support the allies’ shared leadership in the Arctic.
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The office of Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that Denmark, Greenland and the United States are to sign an agreement on the Arctic at the UN on Tuesday. Its text has not yet been publicly released. Frederiksen said the document recognizes Denmark’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination.
Icebreakers and presence in the region
Washington said that the arrangement paves the way for an increased US military presence in Greenland and is intended to prevent China and Russia from establishing bases or making sensitive investments without consent. The parties also discussed cooperation between the United States, Canada and Finland on developing an icebreaker fleet.
In October, the United States announced the purchase of 11 icebreakers from Finland for the Coast Guard, in addition to its three existing aging vessels. Major powers’ interest in the Arctic is growing due to melting ice, the availability of natural resources and the opening of new sea routes.
