20/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 20 July, the European Commission and the European External Action Service launched a public consultation on the future of the EU’s Arctic policy in order to conduct, according to the Commission, a “broad reflection” on this policy “in light of the new challenges and prospects in the region, including the EU’s ambitions under the Green Deal”. The consultation, open until 6 November 2020, aims to gather information on the strengths and weaknesses of the current policy, with a view to a possible update. It should contribute to reviewing the EU’s role on the Arctic issue, revising the three priorities of the current Joint Communication of 2016 and the actions stemming from it (see EUROPE 11541/1) and identifying possible new areas for action. At the end of 2019, the EU Council had explained that it was “looking forward” to an update of this policy (see EUROPE 12386/7). (CG)