Certain NATO member states would like to raise the issue of the Arctic within the organization. The conversation is not about war or anything of the kind. Actually, NATO is now moving beyond military and even political issues. Stéphane and I have written that it would be inappropriate for Canada for this subject to be addressed within NATO because Canada would be in a minority position.
I would also like to add that behind every non-Arctic European state is the European Union, with which Canada is conducting or has completed economic negotiations. Consequently, this may also be an opportunity for Canada to raise fisheries issues and other present and future economic questions in the Arctic.
NATO, as such, remains solely a forum for discussion on environmental, Arctic and energy issues. It has no prominent role for the moment. A new division on emerging changes has recently been created, and one section is entirely dedicated to energy issues. Some day, in 10 years, the issue of energy in the Arctic may be addressed within NATO. That is possible.