Brussels, 04/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Knowledge, responsibility and engagement: these are the key words in the Arctic strategy with which the Commission intends to equip the EU in order to contribute to the sustainable development of this fragile region, which has become the object of all desires. The rapid changes which the Arctic is undergoing, combined with technological progress, could effectively one day free up access to vast natural resources and allow shipping routes to be opened up which could potentially cut time and costs for important trading routes between Europe and Asia. Research, ever more action in the fight against climate change and ever more dialogue with the indigenous communities are the main lines of this strategy, which was set out by the Commission in a communication adopted on Tuesday by the college of commissioners. The strategy particularly recommends supporting effective management of the Arctic and promoting clean technology in shipping and mining.
“We want to show the world that the EU is serious about its commitments towards the Arctic region. Developments in the Arctic add further urgency to our work to combat global climate change, and are of increasing strategic, economic and environmental importance to the European Union”, said Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Among the 28 actions that are listed are: - support for Arctic research under the Commission's proposed €80 billion Horizon 2020; - contribution to search and rescue in the Arctic through the launch of the next-generation observation satellites; - stepping up of actions to combat climate change; - use of EU's funding opportunities to maximise sustainable development in the Arctic for the benefit of local and indigenous communities; - promotion and development of environmentally friendly technologies that could be used by extractive industries in the Arctic; - enhancing of bilateral dialogue on Arctic issues with Canada, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation and the United States, including by applying for permanent observer status in the Arctic Council; - and stepping up of efforts to hold regular dialogue with representatives of indigenous peoples' organisations on EU policies and programmes.
In the spring, Ashton and Maria Damanaki, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, visited the Arctic region, with Ashton visiting Finland, Sweden and Norway, including Svalbard, and Damanaki visiting Greenland. (AN/transl.fl)