'There are three main reasons why Türkiye's presence in the Arctic is important' Opinion | LukeDCoffey
In the coming weeks, Türkiye will be completing the ratification process to join the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, which will offer Ankara new opportunities for research and economic activity in the Arctic region.
The Svalbard Treaty is named after the Svalbard archipelago, located well above the Arctic Circle off the coast of Norway and about 500 nautical miles from the North Pole. Svalbard has a small population of around 2,000 and is home to the northernmost permanently inhabited human settlement in the world. As part of the series of international agreements and treaties that followed World War One, Norway was granted sovereignty over the islands as part of the1920 Svalbard Treaty.
Russia and China have taken advantage of their access to Svalbard. Russia is present on Svalbard today with its coal mining settlement at Barentsburg. This remote village is only accessible by ship, helicopter, or snowmobile and is home to only a few hundred people. Curiously, considering the remoteness of its location, Barentsburg even hosts the most northern Russian consulate in the world. Today, Barentsburg only produces enough coal to sustain itself.
President Erdogan and other Turkish policymakers have recognized the growing importance of the Arctic region. In 2015, Türkiye applied for Observer status in the Arctic Council—the world’s premier multilateral Arctic organization. However, with the breakdown in relations between Russia and its fellow Arctic states over the incursion on Ukraine, the Arctic Council has all but stopped functioning.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Researchers warn that the Arctic could unleash the next pandemicScientists studied lake sediment from Lake Hazen, the largest lake north of the Arctic Circle, to identify the viruses present in the environment they found plenty
Read more »
Thawing Permafrost Exposes Old Pathogens—and New HostsClimate change is disrupting delicate arctic habitats, which could unearth frozen viruses and transport them elsewhere.
Read more »
Türkiye, Israel discuss security, regional issues in Ankara talksTurkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar meets his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz to discuss bilateral relations and security issues in the Turkish capital Ankara
Read more »
USARC conducts 115th meeting at UAFThe United States Arctic Research Commission had its 115th meeting at UAF ahead of a 2023 report deadline.
Read more »
Türkiye in the Arctic: A strategic mission with a strong cultural angleAnkara wants to expand its footprint in the Arctic region, an area with growing geopolitical significance, which is also home to hundreds of thousands of ethnically Turkic people.
Read more »