Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday called on NATO to develop a “coordinated presence” in the Arctic to prevent tensions and respond to “interference by other actors,” amid rising disagreements among Western allies over Greenland.
In a statement delivered while presenting Italy’s government document on the Arctic, Meloni noted that the region is becoming increasingly important due to new shipping routes and its vast energy and mineral resources.
Italy has held observer status in the Arctic Council since 2013 and has updated its policy in light of recent tensions between the United States and Denmark over Greenland, emphasizing the importance of focus in this strategically sensitive area.
The issue gained renewed attention after U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated calls for American control of Greenland to prevent Russian or Chinese influence. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, rejected the proposal during talks in Washington this week, highlighting fundamental differences with the U.S. position.
Meloni stressed that Italy, as an Arctic Council observer, has always supported respect for international law, starting with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
