NATO discussing next steps to ensure Arctic stays safe, says Secretary General

NATO member countries are discussing the next steps to collectively keep the Arctic safe, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

That was reported by Reuters.

"All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security," Rutte said at a press conference in Croatia. "With sea lanes opening up, there is a risk that the Russians and the Chinese will be more active."

Rutte said discussions on Arctic security were already underway since last year, and member countries were now "discussing the next step to that, how to make sure that we give practical follow-up on those discussions."