(Adnkronos) – The stability of the crucial Artic region “is not a tactical but a strategic issue” which demands political and economic action by Italy and other European Union and Nato members for the West’s security, foreign minister Antonio Tajani said Friday.
“The Arctic is not a tactical issue, but a strategic one: Italy takes a wide-ranging approach to the region,” Tajani told a conference in Rome where the government unveiled an updated Artic strategy document.
“The security of maritime routes is a fundamental priority,also for supporting Italian exports, Tajani underlined.
The geostrategic interest the of the Artic demands “a greater European Union and Nato presence” and the security of maritime routes in the region, Tajani said.
“The security of Western nations must be guaranteed by strong political action, including on security: it is not a question of sending 10 or 20 soldiers, but of having a strategy,” he said.
The centrality of the Artic region “today more than ever requires political, economic and research action,’ Tajani added.
“There can be no growth without research,” said Tajani.
Large Italian defence and shipbuilding companies such as Leonardo and Fincantieri operate in the Artic and Italy is organising a mission to Denmark and a business round table on the region, Tajani recalled.
