Italy targets Arctic role with new strategy on business, security

​​​​​​​By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Italy unveiled a new strategy Friday to strengthen its role in the Arctic, combining business outreach with security and research priorities, as the region gains strategic importance amid climate change and rising geopolitical competition.

Speaking in Rome at a presentation of the Italian Arctic Strategy Document, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy would send business leaders and entrepreneurs to the Arctic as part of a working visit.

“Europe’s and Italy’s attention to the Arctic did not begin today,” said Tajani, adding that Italy had “always recognized its central role.”

He said a business delegation was being organized with support from the embassy in Copenhagen, with a focus on defense, energy and space sectors.

“We want to support our companies because the Arctic region is a priority for us,” he said.

The strategy document was prepared with the involvement of the foreign affairs, defense, and research ministries, alongside other state institutions.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who was unable to attend due to a visit to Japan, described the Arctic as “central and strategic” for Italy and global stability.

In a written message, she said Italy was committed to preserving the Arctic as a region of “peace, cooperation and prosperity”.

Italy is an observer state in the Arctic Council and has consistently supported international law, said Meloni, citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

She added that Italy believed the Arctic should remain a priority for the EU and NATO, urging the alliance to develop a coordinated presence in the region to prevent tensions.

Defense Minister Guido Crosetto highlighted the strategic effect of climate change, saying melting ice was opening new trade routes that could affect global shipping patterns, including those currently passing through the Suez Canal.

“Italy must maintain a presence in a world region that will become increasingly strategic,” he said, pointing to economic, research and military interests.

-'Russian military resources will likely be moved to this region'

Crosetto warned that the Arctic’s military significance could grow after the war in Ukraine.

“The day the war ends, a large portion of Russian military resources will likely be moved to this region,” he said, noting that Russia has the longest border with the Arctic.

Criticizing symbolic military deployments, Crosetto dismissed the idea of sending small numbers of troops to Greenland.

“Fifteen Italians, 15 French, 15 Germans – this sounds like the beginning of a joke,” he said, arguing instead for unity through NATO and the UN.

Research Minister Anna Maria Bernini announced that Italy would host an Arctic Forum in March, with representatives from across the Arctic community.