Remarks by High Representative Kallas and Commissioner Síkela on Europe's Northern Neighbourhood: A New Strategy for the Arctic

Today the College adopted a Joint Communication entitled the European Northern Neighbourhood: A New Strategy for the Arctic. Of course, we will go into detail with Commissioner Síkela in a few moments.

But we also adopted a Communication entitled Vision 2040 for Fisheries and Aquaculture, which Executive Vice President Fitto and Commissioner Kadis will present to you shortly after this press conference.

That is the readout of the College meeting. We can go to the main topic of today – the EU's updated Arctic Strategy.

The Arctic plays an important role in trade, communication, and defence. Since our previous Arctic Strategy in 2021, we face a much harsher security environment.

The Arctic is no longer insulated from the world's geopolitical tensions. Our updated Arctic Strategy reflects this new reality by putting security firmly at its core.

The list of challenges is long, but a few stand out: Russia is expanding its military footprint in the High North. Moscow has reopened Soviet-era bases and is testing new weapons in the region. Drone incursions, GPS jamming and the sabotage of undersea cables undermine Arctic security. The increased traffic of Russia's shadow fleet puts shipping and the environment at risk.

China's strategic ambitions in the High North are also growing. Beijing's investments in ports, minerals and critical infrastructure need careful scrutiny.

The bottom line is that the Arctic has become the frontline of global power competition.

All this comes because the Arctic is warming three to four times faster than the global average. Retreating ice is opening access to resources and shipping routes - and heating up competition over who controls them.

The Arctic is Europe's Northern Neighbourhood. It is close, connected and critical to our future.

Three EU Member States – Denmark, Finland and Sweden – are Arctic nations. More than half a million EU citizens live there.