Newsletter: A Shock Victory and Security Issues

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The election in the Netherlands has sent shock waves through Europe, writes Editor-in-Chief Arne O. Holm in this week's commentary (Norwegian only):

“In a traditionally liberal and democratic country, voters have flocked to the far-right Geert Wilders”, writes Holm, and believes this shows how fragile European democracy is.

Security policy is a persistent theme in the High North in several ways.

Norway's approval of a research voyage by a Russian vessel off the coast of Northen Norway, has provoked strong reactions.

At the moment, the NATO commander for the Arctic is visiting Northern Norway, which shows how close and important this relationship is, according to Norwegian Chief of Defence.

Friday, the Commander attended the ceremony for the new Chief of the Joint Operational Headquarters in Bodø. Here you can read journalist Hilde-Gunn Bye's report from the ceremony, which Kristoffersen attended. (Norwegian only)

Canada updates its defense policy; “Our Arctic sovereignty is increasingly being challenged by Russia and China,” says Canada's Minister of Defense.

China is also the subject of a question posed by the Norwegian Conservative Party to the Minister of Research regarding Nord University's recent trip to Shanghai. (Norwegian only)

Climate and the Law of the Sea

The consequences of global warming are changing the Arctic. The Barents Sea as we knew it, is no more, according to a new scientific publication.

In the US, the ratification of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea is considered critical to the US' interests, especially in the Arctic, according to the US Senator for Alaska. A new proposal to get the Senate to finally approve the convention is in motion.

Business news and the seal ban

The Norwegian battery company Freyr abandons its plans for the battery cell factory in Finland but keeps the door open for a cathode factory.

In Norway, five counties account for almost 90 percent of all value creation in the Norwegian seafood industry. The Nordland region is at the top of the list. (Norwegian only)

Canada is about to host EU leaders at a summit. "This creates an unprecedented diplomatic opportunity for Canada to put the seal ban back on the table", says researcher Danita C. Burke.

Read this and more in High North News. Feel free to share the newsletter with other interested parties.

On behalf of the editorial staff, I wish you a good weekend,

All the best, News Editor Trine Jonassen