Premier Giorgia Meloni said Friday the Arctic must be a focus area for both NATO and the European Union.

“Italy is convinced that the Arctic must always be a priority of the EU and NATO and that the Atlantic alliance must seize the opportunity to develop a coordinated presence in the region that is capable of preventing tensions and responding to the interference of other actors,” Meloni, who is on a visit to Japan, wrote in a message to an event presenting Italy’s Arctic strategy.

The area is at the centre of global attention amid US President Donald Trump’s stated desire for the United States to take control of Greenland from Denmark.

The strategy was presented by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at Rome’s Villa Madama.

“Europe and Italy’s focus on the Arctic isn’t new: we’ve always recognized its centrality,” Tajani said “We’re preparing a business mission to the Arctic with our embassy in Copenhagen.

“We have a strategic vision, I’m thinking of a round-table to be at the forefront of exports for defence, energy, and space.

“We want to support our businesses and stand by them because the Arctic is a priority region for us”.