Summary:
The first EU Arctic Stakeholder Forum was held in Oulu. EU Commissioner responsible for Arctic policies, Karmenu Vella, stated that warming in the Arctic is twice as fast as in the rest of the globe. According to Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini, who hosted the forum, the Arctic needs growth, but in a sustainable way. Both Mr Vella and Mr Soini said that US President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement was a great disappointment. Soini stated that he would like to appeal to Mr Trump with the fact that protecting the Arctic is « good business ».

Media:  Aamulehti
Date: 15.6.2017
Journalist: Noora Vaarala
Main source: EU Commissioner responsible for Arctic policies, Karmenu Vella, Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini