COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON DEVELOPING A EUROPEAN UNION POLICY TOWARDS THE ARCTIC REGION

The second Council conclusions on a European Union Policy toward the Arctic Region were eventually released on 12 May 2014. The Council welcomed the Joint Communication of the Commission and the High Representative of June 2012 on Developing a European Union Policy towards the Arctic Region, and also took note of the important considerations of the European Parliament in its resolution of 12 March 2014 on the EU strategy for the Arctic.

In a nutshell, the Council agreed that the EU should now further enhance its contribution to Arctic cooperation, since the geostrategic importance of the region is growing. In addition, rapid climate change, a major concern and cause of fundamental changes in the Arctic, combined with increased prospects for economic development in the Arctic region call for the EU to engage actively with Arctic partners to assist in addressing the challenge of sustainable development in a prudent and responsible manner.

In 15 points, the Council has described EU commitment, interests, and objectives toward the region. The Council has welcomed “the significant range of activities the EU is already undertaking in the region across the EU policy spectrum, in particular a valuable contribution to Arctic cooperation through research (€20 million/year, 2007-13), regional and cross-border investment (€1.14 billion, 2007-13) and cooperation with our partners in the fields of environment, transport, energy, and maritime safety. The Council supports the view that the EU action should now be strengthened by:

-supporting research and channelling knowledge to address the challenges of environmental and climate changes in the Arctic;

-acting with responsibility to contribute to ensuring economic development in the Arctic based on sustainable use of resources and environmental expertise;

-intensifying the EU's constructive engagement with Arctic States, indigenous peoples and other partners to find common solutions to challenges that require an international response.

The Council, once again, reaffirmed the relevance of international instruments, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to enhance its contribution to Arctic Cooperation, while confirming its recognition of the Arctic Council as the primary body for circumpolar regional cooperation.

Regarding the “seal issue” brought up by the EP in its 2014 resolution, the Council urged “Canada to use the current positive momentum in EU-Canada relations to help resolve the remaining issue so as to allow for the full implementation of the Kiruna decision regarding the EU's observer status as soon as possible before the next EU/Canada summit.” In addition, the Council supports “EU's efforts for increased dialogue with indigenous peoples of the Arctic region, and welcomes the annual EU Arctic Indigenous Peoples' Dialogue meetings. The EU should also explore appropriate ways of ensuring that the representatives of Arctic indigenous peoples are informed and consulted on EU policies that may affect them.”

Read the COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON DEVELOPING A EUROPEAN UNION POLICY TOWARDS THE ARCTIC REGION (FOREIGN AFFAIRS COUNCIL MEETING)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

- OPINION of the European Economic and Social Committee on EU Arctic Policy to address globally emerging interests in the region – a view of civil society (17 April 2013)

- Resolution on Arctic Policy by the European Economic Area Joint Parliamentary Committee 41st Meeting 28-29 October 2013, Vaduz, Liechtenstein