Macron: France offers to conduct military exercises in Arctic
France is inviting the countries of the Arctic region to step up security co-operation and proposing to hold joint military exercises – as stated by French President Emmanuel Macron, TASS reports
Emmanuel Macron noted that France is ready to strengthen interaction with the Arctic countries, in particular within the framework of the Arctic Council and in the format of eight Nordic and Baltic states. “I want to say that we are ready to conduct joint exercises to increase security,” he said, adding that France is ready to support them in the face of various ‘challenges’ in the region, among which he mentioned ‘co-operation between Russia and China’.
In addition, speaking about the statements of US President Donald Trump regarding the possible annexation of Greenland, the French leader stressed that the EU states mostly adhere to the position that the island should not be ‘sold or seized’. He stated the need to reduce dependence on the United States, which nevertheless remains an ally, and suggested involving Americans in potential joint exercises in the region.
