Brussels, 20/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Iceland's likely accession to the EU, new Arctic oil and other natural resource opportunities, and the effects of pollution, particularly on sea-level changes in member states, all strengthen the case for placing the High North at the top of the EU policy agenda and pushing for greater EU involvement in the Arctic Council, said MEPs in adopting the report by Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany), “A sustainable EU policy for the High North”, in Strasbourg on Thursday 20 January. An alternative resolution proposed by the GUE/NGL calling for a moratorium on industrial exploitation of the Arctic region on environmental grounds was defeated.
Despite having three member states - Denmark, Finland and Sweden - with Arctic territory, the EU still lacks a clear, common policy towards the High North. With the Gahler resolution, MEPs propose basic guidelines for striking a balance between environmental concerns (global warming, vulnerable natural resources) and not being left out of the race to exploit natural resources such as oil, gas and fisheries. A further major challenge will be the opening of faster, safer sea routes in the Arctic, facilitated by the effects of global warming. The resolution recognises that the effects of the melting ice are not only displacing indigenous populations and threatening their way of life, but also creating new opportunities for economic development and for the economic development of the High North. Addressing the plenary session, Gahler highlighted the human dimension which is essential. Thus, he said, the people living in the High North had to be helped and given the highest possible level of protection.
Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Füle said that the EP report was a valuable contribution towards putting in place a European policy for the Arctic. The initiative was all the more interesting, he added, as it allowed dialogue among all those involved. He went on to say that a new stage was opening with the EU, offering a third pillar. There already were the 2008 Commission communication and the two Council recommendations from 2009, through which the Commission called for a new Arctic information centre to be set up. The EU wants to ensure a safer, more sustainable Arctic in the future, Füle said, welcoming the Barentz agreements between Russia and Norway. The commissioner also said the Commission wanted to see the Arctic Council become stronger and, in view of its international experience, the Commission wanted to become part of it as a permanent observer. The Commission backed the Gahler report, which will underline the work the Commission has done. A progress report will be presented towards the end of the year, Füle said.
Preventing another disaster. Research suggests that about one fifth of the world's undiscovered hydrocarbon resources may lie in this region. It is the responsibility of Arctic states to ensure that international oil companies use the technology necessary to prevent oil spills like the British Petroleum disaster in the Gulf of Mexico last year, MEPs warn. They call for an international ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil on vessels operating in the Arctic, like that which is to apply to the Antarctic from August 2011, and ask the EU to impose a strict regime limiting soot emissions and the use of heavy fuel oil by vessels calling at EU ports prior to voyages through Arctic waters.
Alternative report. The Arctic's bio-strategic importance is not sufficiently well recognised, said Sabine Lösing (GUE/NGL, Germany). “NATO, Denmark, Norway and the countries around the High North region have already begun militarising the region,” she stated, adding that her group urged environmental organisations to call for a moratorium on industrial exploitation of the gas in the Arctic region. It also called for the immediate demilitarisation of the region. “We do not fully agree with this report. That is why we have put down an alternative report”.
Following this, Anneli Jäätteenmäki asked her: “Do you think that a moratorium is possible? International companies will not agree. And what about the local people?” Lösing replied: “It is impossible to be categorical, but one only has to ask oneself the question to know with whom discussion is possible”. She added: “What is needed is a broader dialogue, a holistic approach towards the people and especially to indigenous peoples like the Sami”.
Involvement in the Arctic Council. MEPs stress the benefits that would flow from Iceland's joining the Union, which would make the EU an Arctic coastal entity and consolidate its presence in the Arctic Council (AC), a key intergovernmental forum whose members already include the USA and the Russian Federation. Denmark, Sweden and Finland are the three EU member states represented in the AC. The EU currently attends the Council as an ad hoc observer, a status which MEPs would like to see turned into that of permanent observer, so as to enhance the EU's presence in an international organisation which has a particular role to play in managing the region. (G.B./transl.rt)