Transcript The European Union and the Arctic

Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
Arctic-relevant EU policies
 The Northern Dimension was established at the end of the 1990es
as a framework to address issues in the European north and is the
only EU policy with a declared Arctic component.
 While not developed with the Arctic in mind, several EU sectoral
policies impact on the Arctic region.
 The present EU policies most directly relevant for the Arctic are
research and environment .
 The recently launched Integrated Maritime Policy is potentially very
relevant for the Arctic as the main framework for EU activities such
as in the fields of maritime transport, fisheries, environment
protection, energy, sea/deep sea international legislation, and has
triggered new Arctic-related developments in the EU .
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
Climate change has been the main catalyst for new
awareness for and interest in the Arctic in the EU in
recent times .
The EU re-discovers the Arctic
 The geopolitical importance gained by the Arctic region,
following the anticipation of new opportunities but also
the emergence of new problems created by climate
change, is attracting increasing attention in the EU
institutions.
 The European Parliament has been in the forerun. The
Commission has undertaken a general reflection on its
relation to the Arctic. The Arctic is on the agenda of the
present and next EU presidencies.
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
Main conclusions of the report
 The EU already impacts on the Arctic in many ways.
 The increasing environmental, economic and political
importance of the Arctic, its proximity to and historical
links with Europe, warrant a conscious effort for the EU to
develop as a minimum a more systematic and proactive
approach.
 Two main challenges need to be addressed in this context:
- Ensuring better consistency of EU attitude and action
- Developing a corresponding internal EU organisation
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
Consistency of EU attitude and action
 Different sectoral interests, or in some cases lack of them,
have so far characterised the EU approach to the Arctic.
 The concept of sustainable development could offer a
framework for a more consistent EU policy.
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
Internal EU organisation to reflect the
new importance given to the Arctic.
 A central function in the European Commission is
essential, supported by an efficient network reflecting the
multiple Arctic-relevant aspects of EU policies and
actions.
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI
A possible future EU Arctic policy :
two questions
 Will the EU be able to back its interest in the Arctic with
enough substance?
 How can an EU Arctic policy be developed in the absence
of a genuine Arctic constituency?
Ilulissat - 9-10/09/2008
Adele AIROLDI