Norway, which has long been standing for an inclusive Arctic Council, welcomed China and five other countries after they were granted permanent observer status in the regional intergovernmental forum earlier on Wednesday.

In a Twitter posting, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide extended his welcome to Japan, South Korea, China, India, Singapore and Italy as observers.

Eide described as "a major breakthrough" the decision taken by the eight-member Arctic Council to have six new observers.

The council comprises Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Canada, Russia and the United States -- the countries that ring the Arctic Circle. Endi

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