Finland Equips Arctic Rescue Teams Based on Russian Experience

The Finnish Interior Ministry has applied Russia's experience in equipping its Arctic rescue teams, Interior Minister Paula Risikko announced on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — During a meeting with the head of Russia's Ministry of Emergencies (EMERCOM) Vladimir Puchkov, Risikko said:

"We used Russian experience to support our own decisions, in particular in regard to updating the equipment for the rescue team, which operates in Arctic conditions."

She also expressed hope that Russia would share its experience to assist ​​cooperation between the Arctic states.

The Russian Emergencies Minister proposed to expand the work of the Arctic Council, with a Russian EMERCOM strategy to eliminate emergencies, ensure the safety of the Arctic population, and to implement infrastructure projects in the region.

Finland will assume the two-year rotating chairmanship position of the intergovernmental Arctic Council in May 2017, and will also oversee the Arctic Coast Guard forum. According to Risikko, in this role, Finland will focus on climate issues in the Arctic and the sustainable development of the region.

The Arctic Council is comprised of the eight Arctic nations — the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia and Sweden. The United States currently chairs the Arctic Council until the May 2017  ministerial meeting scheduled to be held in Fairbanks, Alaska.