After announcing the strategy and revealing details of it gradually, the European Commission finally presented its New Strategy for the Arctic on Tuesday 20 October, following a meeting of the college of Commissioners.
In a region facing growing geopolitical and climate pressures, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says it is crucial for the European Union to adapt its policy. “When we see that (...) the rules that have underpinned stability in the region can no longer be taken for granted, we must act and change our strategic posture”, she declared.
The updated policy for the Far North sets out a new strategic framework and stronger ambitions (see EUROPE 13963/5). “The Arctic is Europe’s northern neighbourhood, it is close, interconnected and critical to our future”, Ursula von der Leyen stressed.
Developed jointly by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, the strategy centres on four priorities: security challenges, economic prosperity, “combatting climate change” and “cooperation with local communities”.
Priorities all linked to climate change. “The Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the global average. As the ice retreats, it is opening access to resources and shipping routes and heating up competition over who controls them”, Kaja Kallas recalled.
The Commission says that combatting global warming will guide the strategy. It reaffirms several principles already set out in its 2021 policy, starting with its opposition to hydrocarbon extraction.
“They must stay in the ground, in line with our objectives and the Paris Agreement” on climate change, Jozef Síkela stressed.
The Commission also reaffirms its opposition to deep-sea mining “until the scientific gaps on deep sea ecosystems are properly filled, until it can be demonstrated that no harmful effects arise from deep sea mining”. It also plans to establish a European polar research hub to strengthen scientific coordination.
A strategy for indigenous people. “We must place the local communities at the centre of our action”, Jozef Síkela stressed.
Among the proposals for local communities, particular attention is given to young people, notably through expanded opportunities under the Erasmus+ mobility programme. The Commission wants to strengthen dialogue with local elected representatives through the ‘Arctic Mayors’ Forum’. Its aim is to “strengthen the capacities of indigenous people to engage more effectively with the EU and other actors”.
The strategy, ambitious in its goals, still needs to be translated into concrete measures. It will need to be discussed by Member States and presented to the European Parliament.
“This is basically the first step”, Jozef Síkela acknowledged. The question of funding for the proposed projects also remains unresolved. “At this stage (...) it is not possible to make commitments on future funding”, the Commissioner said.
To read the joint communication: https://aeur.eu/f/o07 (Original version in French by Louis Dubar)