EU to seek 'observer status' on Arctic Council

A communique released Nov. 20 by the European Commission,"The European Union and the Arctic Region," takes a position on a part of the world the EU calls "in rapid transformation."

Dec. 1, 2008

Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent

PARIS, Dec. 1 -- A communique released Nov. 20 by the European Commission,"The European Union and the Arctic Region," takes a position on a part of the world the EU calls "in rapid transformation."

The EU will apply for permanent observer status on the Arctic Council, a high-level intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation among its members—Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroes Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden, and the US—and involving indigenous communities.

The commission calls for a "coordinated action" of all stakeholders in order "to protect the Arctic in unison with its population, to promote sustainable use of resources, and contribute to enhanced Arctic multilateral governance."

It recognizes that exploitation of the Arctic hydrocarbon resources and the opening of new navigation routes can be beneficial, providing it is done "in full respect of the highest environmental standards."

Describing the Arctic as "a unique region of strategic importance, located in [Europe's] immediate vicinity," the commission sets out policy objectives and recommends a series of steps in the fields of research, environment, indigenous peoples, fisheries, hydrocarbons, shipping, legal and political framework, and cooperation with regional organizations.