Arctic Forum Foundation

The EU Arctic Forum (EUAF) continues to provide a platform for MEP’s to meet with the responsible directors, heads of unit and political leadership in the Commission and the EEAS, to ensure an impact on the drafting process of the communication of the European Commission. In the context of the development of the EU Arctic policy, the Communication of the European Commission is an important document expected by EU actors and Arctic partners. HR Catherine Ashton’s visit to the Arctic boosted the work on the communication of the Commission which is to be released on July, 3 2012.

Amongst the participants who met upon invitation by the EUAF under the aegis of Michael Gahler MEP, the rapporteur of the parliament Arctic report, were Bernard Friess, Director of DG MARE, Matthew King, Head of Unit in DG MARE, Richard Tibbels, Head of Division in the EEAS, Fernando Garces de Los Fayos, Principal Administrator in the European Parliament and former DG Relex Expert on the Arctic, DG External Policies, Policy Department, and MEPs Indrek Tarand, Pat the Cope Gallagher, Chair of the SINEEA Delegation, Kent Johansson, Anna Ibrisagic, Liisa Jaakonsaari.

General Secretary of the EUAF, Steffen Weber, opened the meeting by stating the main achievements of the EUAF, reporting about recent activities and outlining the next steps. He underlined the opportunity for the MEP’s, the Commission and the EEAS to engage for the first time in a discussion on the progress report. The European Union has already published a number of policy documents on the region such as the 2008 Commission Communication, several Council conclusions and, most recently, the 2011 European Parliament “Report on sustainable development of the High North,” which set a more balanced picture of EU interest and involvement in the Arctic.

Richard Tibbels gave emphasis to the increasing strategic importance of the Arctic and the engagement of the EEAS in the region as marked by the three days visit of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission Catherine Ashton in the High North of Sweden, Norway and Finland last March. He also flagged the joint nature of the work of the EEAS and the Commission, and as a third message, underlined the importance of events such as the present meeting which brought together the Parliament, the Commission and the EEAS.

He highlighted the significant impact the EU has on climate change in the Arctic as demonstrated in the EU Arctic Footprint and Policy Assessment Report, and the responsibility that the EU has in particular towards indigenous people whose way of life relies on the environment. Mr. Friess specified the EU’s contribution to develop the economic, social and environmental potential in the Arctic regions, a contribution that amounts to 1.4 billion euros between 2007 and 2013. He underlined the good cooperation that prevails among political actors in the region and presented the next steps regarding the commission’s progress report.

Both Mr Tibbels and Mr. Friess expressed their explicit support to the activities of the EUAF and highlighted the reputation and network that represents a specific added value of the EU Arctic Forum.

The MEPs also addressed a number of other questions related to the European Parliament contributions and role regarding the EU Arctic policy, and could engage into a fruitful dialogue with the representatives of the European Commission and the EEAS on the progress report. Fernando Garces de Los Fayos brought some clarifications on the reception by Arctic partners of the EU Arctic policy by comparing the contexts of 2008 and 2012. Bernhard Friess expressed his thanks to Steffen Weber for the efficient synergy established between the EU institutions on the Arctic issues through the work of the EUAF.

HR Catherine Ashton’s visit to the European Arctic on March, 6, 7 and 8

As Richard Tibbles stressed, Catherine Ashton’s visit to Northern Finland, Northern Sweden and Svalbard last March for high level talks with leaders from the three countries demonstrated the awareness the High Representative has in the strategic, economic and environmental importance of the Arctic region.

While the EU has contributed to an enormous amount of research and cooperation in the region with its neighbours on transport, energy, maritime safety and environmental issues, the High Representative has discussed the EU’s application for observer status in the Arctic Council. A key word used during her visit seemed to be “cooperation.” Ashton emphasized the intent “to listen and to learn from those who know the region best.” Before her visit, Catherine Ashton said she was convinced “the EU can play an even more positive role in the future. We want to do all we can to contribute to productive cooperation in the region.”

The communication of the Commission to be released, July 4

Despite a busy international agenda and the crisis in Syria, Ashton’s visit attracted an enormous attention of not only European media, and was a vivid instrument to display the EU’s interest and preoccupation of the region’s future.The High Representative trip not only focused attention on the on-going EU Arctic policy, but also boosted the work on the next communication of the Commission. The internal Arctic meeting arranged by the EU Arctic Forum therefore offered a privileged platform of discussion between MEPs, Commission and the EEAS on the on-going work on the new Arctic Communication, which is to be issued on July 3: a significant and highly expected step in the evolving EU Arctic Policy.

Dr. Cécile Pelaudeix
Research Associate, PACTE-Institute of Political Studies, Grenoble
Researcher, EU Arctic Forum, Brussels

More info:
EEAS

HR Catherine Ashton’s visit to the Arctic

DG Mare

EU Arctic Footprint