NATO "will not increase presence" in Arctic

OSLO NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said the alliance "no plans to increase its presence in the Arctic," an area with vast natural resources. "NATO has no intention of increasing its presence and activities in the Far North," he said in Oslo, during his two-day visit to Norway. NATO "will not increase presence" in Arctic The Arctic is believed to hold some 90 billion barrels of oil and 30 percent of the world's yet-to-be discovered natural gas resources, the AFP reported. Several countries, including Russia, Canada and the United States, have already announced a reinforcement of their military presence to defend their claims. Norway has made the Far North its top priority and has in recent years tried to draw the attention of NATO and the European Union to the region. "Norway has, like all other allies, a legitimate expectation that NATO's collective defence should cover all of NATO's territory, including of course the north of Norway," Fogh Rasmussen said at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Beta/AP) AFP Tanjug

NATO "will not increase presence" in Arctic

The Arctic is believed to hold some 90 billion barrels of oil and 30 percent of the world's yet-to-be discovered natural gas resources, the AFP reported.

Several countries, including Russia, Canada and the United States, have already announced a reinforcement of their military presence to defend their claims.

Norway has made the Far North its top priority and has in recent years tried to draw the attention of NATO and the European Union to the region.

"Norway has, like all other allies, a legitimate expectation that NATO's collective defence should cover all of NATO's territory, including of course the north of Norway," Fogh Rasmussen said at a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.