Diana welcomes the Commission's Arctic policy

5.00.00pm GMT Thu 20th Nov 2008

The European Commission announced its view on Arctic policy today, addressing complex issues in the high north e.g. climate change and the opening of hitherto closed sea routes. Diana Wallis MEP, Vice President of the European Parliament with responsibility for Arctic matters, welcomes the proposal and said:

"This Communication from the Commission is to be warmly welcomed as I and many of my colleagues have been pressing for a cross-cutting EU Arctic policy for some time. This comes on the back of the successful ALDE seminar on Arctic Governance in May and the overwhelming approval of the European Parliament's cross-party resolution on the Arctic last month".

The resolution adopted by the European Parliament in October called the European Union to take a more 'proactive' role in these matters. The EU counts amongst its members states three Arctic nations, and amongst its closely related neighbours participating in the internal market through the EEA Agreement a further two Arctic nations (Iceland and Norway), meaning that the EU and its associated states comprise more than half the numeric membership of the Arctic Council.

"The EU has three Arctic states amongst its members but besides this we are all aware that the Arctic is something of a 'nexus' of converging issues: climate change, energy supply, the opening of hitherto closed sea routes, sustainability, rural development, migrating fish stocks and so on. It is only right that the EU develops a cross-cutting policy to deal with these key issues," Ms. Wallis added.

On one issue though Ms. Wallis disagreed with the commission's proposal:

"If there is one disappointment with the Communication, it is that the Commission has not taken up the Parliament's call to open international negotiations designed to lead to the adoption of an international treaty for the protection of the Arctic. The issue of governance in the Arctic will nevertheless remain key and we will continue to contribute to the debate."

As a final remark Ms. Wallis said:

"I hope the Council approves the Communication and allows the EU to play a part in the future of the Arctic. As a starting point it should be supported in its bid to take up Observer status on the Arctic Council."