Ilulissat /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 /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 /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 /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 /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 /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 /09/2008 Adele AIROLDI