Canada seeks issue-based Arctic partnerships, Anand says

Canada expects to deepen cooperation with Arctic nations and major powers, including the United States, in partnerships that go beyond existing multilateral alliances, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said at the Arctic Circle conference on Thursday, mbl.is reported.

Anand was among the first speakers in a discussion about the Arctic’s future. After delivering a speech and talking with Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Arctic Circle’s chief diplomat, she answered questions from the audience.

An American audience member asked whether Canada could act as a bridge between major powers and their rivals, or would instead work with its allies to expand their presence in the Arctic. Anand said the idea of an ally or partner in international affairs was changing. Over the past year, she said, Canada had established partnerships with countries it had not worked with for decades, in part because major powers were withdrawing to some extent.

She said Canada remained committed to principles including territorial integrity, international law, democracy, the rule of law and state sovereignty. “We are much more than an intermediary,” Anand said, adding that Canada was trying to bring countries together on issues including the Arctic and Ukraine. She also cited cooperation with India and Australia on new technology.

Anand said new alliances and partnerships would develop organically, with practical cooperation on issues such as support for Ukraine, Arctic security and innovation taking precedence over the names given to them.