“The EU has to state its position concerning a unique region of strategic importance located in its immediate vicinity”, the Communication on “The European Union and the Arctic Region” reads. The document was presented by the EU Commission in Brussels yesterday.
The document highlights the need for sustainable resource management and enhanced international cooperation in the strategically important region. It also states the importance of protecting and preserving Arctic cultures and populations.
The Communication is seen as preparing the ground for a more comprehensive EU Arctic Policy. The document comes after the Commission in October 2007 adopted an Action Plan on an Integrated Maritime Policy and Commission and the Union’s High Representative presented their joint paper “Climate Change and Security” in March 2008.
“The Arctic is a unique and vulnerable region located in the immediate vicinity of Europe. Its evolution will have significant repercussions on the life of Europeans for generations to come”, Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in yesterday’s presentation. “Enhancing the European Union’s contribution to Arctic cooperation will open new perspectives in our relations with the Arctic states. The EU is ready to work with them to increase stability, to enhance Arctic multilateral governance through the existing legal frameworks as well as to keep the right balance between the priority goal of preserving the environment and the need for sustainable use of natural resources including hydrocarbons” a press release from the commission adds.
The communication sets policy objectives and recommends a series of steps in the fields of research, environment, indigenous peoples, fisheries, hydrocarbons, shipping, the Arctic legal/political framework and the cooperation with regional organisations. T
he document highlights the role of the Northern Dimension as a EU cooperation platform with non-members Russia, Norway and Iceland. It also underlines the importance of the Arctic Council, and states that the EU wants to get observer status in the body.
Read the whole communication here
