Summary:
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the preparations for the Arctic Council Summit, in which Presidents Putin and Trump might also take part, are well on their way. The planners are already planning on possible dates in spring 2019.

President Sauli Niinistö commented on the summit, saying that the United States seems to have become more interested in it. He said that things have advanced towards a better direction, surprisingly. He says that if the summit participants will be from the higher level, the participants will determine the date of the summit.

According to the President, it is certain that some kind of high-level meeting will be held. At least the traditional foreign ministers’ summit is certainly held, and possibly a summit on the higher or lower level. He thinks that the IPCC report will boost the stakes of the summit.

He finds that a central point is that the summit’s agenda can be approved by the United States, Russia and other countries. Issues planned on the agenda include black carbon, sea safety and heavy fuel ban on arctic area sea transport.

President Niinistö had talked about the summit for a long time and has discussed it with Presidents Putin and Trump as well as with other state leaders. Finland is the chair of the Arctic Council until May 2019, which is the deadline for the summit.

Media:  Helsingin Sanomat
Date: 10.10.2018
Journalist: Teemu Luukka
Main source: President Sauli Niinistö