Canada Opts Out of Arctic Council Meeting

Canadian Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq stated that a principled stand had been taken by Ottawa against Moscow's intervention in events in Ukraine, reports Russian official news agency Arctic-Info.

A statement from the Minister stated that Canada will not be attending working-group level meetings in Moscow this week, but will continue to support the important work of the Arctic Council.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper had previously ordered the suspension of all bilateral contacts between the Canadian armed forces and the Russian military.

The Arctic Council, established in 1996, is composed of Russia, Canada, the United States, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland.

Source: Arctic-Info