EU’s place on Arctic Council delayed

The EU has failed to have its observer status on the Arctic Council confirmed, despite support being granted for several other countries.

At a ministerial meeting in Sweden today (15 May), the eight members of the council granted permanent observer status to China, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Singapore, according to media reports.

However, the decision on the EU’s application was deferred, on the basis of concern from Canada about an EU ban on seal fur and other products, reports BBC News.