The reaffirmation of the Northern Cooperation Accord illustrates the North's place in Canada's future, says Premier Dennis Fentie.

'The North continues to take its place on the national stage,' Fentie said during a call back conference to Whitehorse reporters from Iqaluit on Tuesday.

Fentie met with Northwest Territories Premier Joe Handley and Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik for a premiers' meeting on Monday and Tuesday.

The annual meeting saw the renewing of the accord, which was originally signed in 2003.

'Working collectively, we achieved progress on a number of issues of shared interest such as health funding, sovereignty and security and territorial formula financing,' said Fentie. 'It is this united approach that allows us to move forward on matters of importance to the North.'

The formal renewal of the accord illustrates the fact it is a very important part of the business of government, said Fentie, adding it illustrates the unanimous approach the territories are taking.

Unanimous agreement was reached between the premiers in the areas of the territorial formula financing, Arctic sovereignty, the International Polar Year, climate change, the 2007 Canada Winter Games and the northern court of appeal.

'It's a very busy agenda,' said the premier.

The territories collectively agreed that it will be supporting the base-plus recommendations made in the expert panel on equalization and territorial funding put forward last spring, said Fentie.

The three northern regions also believe there is a need for the North to have its own appellate courts, he said, with judges residing in the territories rather than coming from the South.

Though climate change was discussed, he added, the Yukon Party government's commitment to establishing a research centre isn't meant to diminish the work of the other two jurisdictions.

The territories will also be continuing to encourage Ottawa to live up to its obligations in addressing climate change, which has a profound impact on the North, he said.

For the 2007 Canada Winter Games, the territories remain committed to a pan-northern approach, he said.

Specific details of the Games weren't discussed; however, logistics related to a reception the premiers jointly intend to host were.

'The Games afford the North a tremendous opportunity to showcase ourselves to the rest of the country,' said Fentie.