The legitimate interests of the EU in the European Arctic will best be defended together through an EU Arctic strategy that strengthens civil society participation in all relevant decisions. Close cooperation with Greenland is also vital for sustainable investment in the Arctic in order to ensure the regions’ prosperity and resilience.
The Arctic is no longer a low-tension area. On the contrary, it is becoming a geopolitical hotspot for China, Russia, the US and the EU for security, military and economic interests.
The EESC has put forward an own-initiative opinion on Developing Europe’s strategy for the Arctic in dialogue with civil society, adopted at its January plenary session. It highlights the important role the Arctic plays in strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy, resilience and competitiveness.
This opinion underscores that the new EU institutional cycle should take stock of its Arctic policy. However, an updated strategy is needed, given the increased interest in the area, especially following the recent US elections. This will enable the EU to play a greater role in fostering a resilient and prosperous Arctic while advancing Europe’s strategic green transition, security interests and respect for human rights.
EESC member Anders Ladefoged, rapporteur for the opinion, said: ‘With our new opinion on the EU’s Arctic policy we are offering a civil society perspective on how the EU could develop its policy for this region. Both to take care of its own interests and to help secure a resilient and prosperous region for the people who live there.’
It is crucial that civil society by actively involved in decision-making when it comes to the Artic, as their involvement enhances both the quality and legitimacy of far-reaching decisions that impact the region. Arctic social engagement should be designed around a set of underlying beliefs and principles that reflect the needs of civil society. In parallel, the EESC also supports and encourages full consultation and cooperation with indigenous people in the Arctic – bearing in mind the principle of free, prior and informed consent – before adopting and implementing measures that might affect them directly.
In this context, EESC member Christian Moos, co-rapporteur for the opinion, said: ‘ The interests of European Arctic states are best defended together, through both the cooperation of the northern EU Member States and a European Arctic strategy, which must ensure civil society participation and uphold the rights of local and indigenous people.’
Moreover, the EU Youth Test tool was successfully applied in this opinion by integrating the input of several youth organisations, which the Finnish Youth Council Allianssi coordinated and channelled through its representative to the opinion-making process.
Greenlanders: ‘Nothing about us, without us’
Greenland, which is also discussed in the opinion, in many ways faces a similar situation to the European Arctic when it comes to both challenges and opportunities related to the rapid transformation in the region.
Regarding Greenland, Mr Moos said: ‘Enhanced European cooperation, including in Greenland, is vital for sustainable investment in the European Arctic to make it a prosperous and resilient region. Security should be guaranteed in partnership with the USA and a stronger European pillar of NATO.’
For Greenlanders, one of the main focuses is strengthening their self-determination as a nation on all matters that affect them and their future under the slogan ‘nothing about us, without us’, and developing international relations more broadly.
However, the EU is seen as a close ally based on shared values, such as human rights, rule of law and social dialogue. Stepping up the EU’s cooperation with Greenland would give the EU the scope to diversify its access to critical minerals and provide a clear opportunity for a partnership. The Committee urges prioritising this cooperation in the upcoming multiannual financial framework (MFF) negotiations.