BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (KUNA) -- The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) announced on Wednesday the launch of a new mission to strengthen its presence in the Arctic region under the name "Arctic Sentry". The step aimed at coordinating the military efforts of member states amid rapidly evolving strategic changes in the region.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in remarks to journalists at NATO headquarters in Brussels that the new mission will place the activities of member states under a unified command, at a time when both Russia and China are showing growing interest in the Arctic, with new sea lanes opening as a result of melting ice.
Rutte added that "this step will enable us to leverage our current efforts much more effectively and will also allow us to assess existing gaps and determine what we need to fill, and of course, we will work to fill these gaps".
For his part, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said in a statement that the "Arctic Sentry" mission falls within what is known in NATO terminology as "enhanced vigilance activities", and will be led by NATO's Joint Force Command in Norfolk, Virginia.
Grynkewich said in the statement that "the Arctic Sentry mission underscores the Alliance's commitment to safeguard its members and maintain stability in one of the world's most strategically important and environmentally challenging regions".
The Joint Expeditionary Force includes Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom. (end) arn.ibi