The Council of the European Union has developed conclusions on the Arctic, seeking to contribute to enhancing socio-economic resilience in the Arctic region. The Council discussed the future integrated EU policy for the Arctic with a view to set out a coherent response to the environmental, economic and social challenges of the region, on the basis of the joint communication by the High Representative and the Commission issued in April 2016.
An important objective of the EU is to contribute to enhancing socio-economic resilience in the Arctic region, which is home to 4 million inhabitants, while also enhancing environmental resilience.
The Council emphasises the importance of a safe, sustainable and prosperous Arctic. Noting increased global attention and activity in the Arctic region, the Council recalls that the EU has a strong interest in building on and further developing its existing cross-sectoral engagement in the Arctic. An ambitious cross-spectrum and well-coordinated Arctic policy will contribute to the EU’s engagement in an increasingly strategically important region. The Arctic is an area of active cooperation between major regional and global actors; reinforcing the EU’s engagement in the Arctic is also important from a foreign and security policy point of view.
The Council welcomes EU and its Member States engagement in work related to area-based management, including marine protected areas, in close cooperation with and with respect for regional stakeholders, organisations and processes, as well as within multilateral institutional frameworks. As regards maritime safety and pollution prevention, the Council also welcomes the adoption, by the International Maritime Organisation, of the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, and encourages its implementation and enforcement
Explore more by reading the outcome of the EU Council
Source: European Council