H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden opened the EU – Arctic Forum and Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde was among main speakers. Deputy Minister Chmelař used this opportunity to have several informal discussions on international cooperation in the Arctic and sustainable development. The international cooperation was also main topic of the lunch for Heads of delegations with H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria.

A broad range of Arctic stakeholders representing EU governments, European Commission and other relevant arctic organizations participated at the event. Deputy Minister Chmelař was accompanied by Jiří Šitler, Czech Ambassador to Sweden. The Center for Polar Ecology of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice operates Arctic research Station Josef Svoboda in Svalbalrd. The infrastructure consists of several facilities. a base station, a field station Nostoc, and research vessel Clione.