EU Arctic Forum
Tällberg Forum in Sigtuna, Sweden: “How on earth can we live together?” Steffen Weber, Secretary General of the EU Arctic Forum introduces the Arctic in the debate
Organized annually by Tällberg Foundation, the Forum traditionally brings together intellectuals, politicians, businessmen, and independent thinkers from all over the world to discuss the challenges the globe is facing today. Steffen Weber, Secretary General of the EU Arctic Forum, noted in the discussion the importance of tackling rapid changing within the regions, which was also addressed by other High North representatives. Read more…
The 13th Ministerial meeting of the Barents Euro-Arctic in Kiruna
General Secretary of the EU Arctic Forum, Steffen Weber, addressed the Barents Regional Council at the 13th Ministerial meeting of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council in Kiruna, Sweden, and participated in the Barents Cooperation seminar in Brussels last week. In both events, he highlighted the need for a platform to improve the connections between business and political sectors for the benefit of the Barents region development. Read more…
Breaking the Ice: the European Union and the Arctic by Steffen Weber and Iulian Romanyshyn, International Journal, Vol. LXVI, n°4, Autumn 2011
“An accelerated path of climate change has tremendously increased the Arctic’s profile over the last decade. Formerly remote and of little relevance, the region now attracts significant political and economic interest as melting ice opens possibilities for the exploitation of Arctic natural resources and access to new trade routes. Rising temperatures and sea level as a result of retreating snow and ice coverage also provoke global security concerns. Consequently, interested states increasingly link the Arctic more closely to their security and foreign policy strategies. In addition, existing territorial disputes combined with unsettled patterns of governance and actor constellations trigger regional developments with important implications for international legal and political systems….”
read the full paper here. Read more…
The Arctic Region – European Interests and European Policy in the High North by Steffen Weber and Iulian Romanyshyn, International Reports, Berlin, May 16, 2012, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
The Arctic region is attracting more and more attention, due to the effects of climate change, the main trigger of developments. Its effects are of a larger scale than in other parts of the world. At the same time, those changes are affecting other regions, through rising sea levels on the one hand and consequences for adjacent regional climates on the other.
Global warming was a tipping point that triggered ever- increasing international concerns about Arctic developments far beyond existing regional cooperation.
Read the full paper here.
The EU’s “place in the midnight sun,” by Dave Keating, European Voice, May 24, 2012
The European Union is funding an increasing number of research projects in the Arctic, but MEPs want greater co-ordination and focus. Read more…
