The legitimate interests of the EU in the European Arctic will be best defended together through an EU Arctic strategy that strengthens civil society participation in all relevant decisions. Close cooperation with Greenland is also vital for sustainable investment in the Arctic in order to ensure the region’s prosperity and resilience.

The EESC has put forward an own-initiative opinion on Developing Europe’s strategy for the Arctic in dialogue with civil society, adopted at its January plenary session, highlighting the important role the Arctic plays in Europe’s strategic autonomy, resilience and competitiveness.

EESC member Anders Ladefoged, rapporteur for the opinion, said: ‘With our new opinion on the EU’s Arctic policy we are offering a civil society perspective on how the EU could develop its policy for this region. Both to take care of its own interests and to help secure a resilient and prosperous region for the people who live there.’

The EESC also supports and encourages full consultation and cooperation with indigenous people in the Arctic. In this context, EESC member Christian Moos, co-rapporteur for the opinion, said: ‘The interests of European Arctic states are best defended together, through both cooperation between the northern EU Member States and a European Arctic strategy, which must ensure civil society participation and uphold the rights of local and indigenous people.’

Greenland, which is also discussed in the opinion, faces a similar situation to the European Arctic when it comes to both challenges and opportunities relating to the rapid transformation in the region.

Regarding Greenland, Mr Moos said: ‘Enhanced European cooperation, including in Greenland, is vital for sustainable investment in the European Arctic to make it a prosperous and resilient region.’

For Greenlanders, one of the main focuses is strengthening their self-determination as a nation under the slogan ‘nothing about us, without us’. However, the EU is seen as a close ally based on shared values, such as human rights and social dialogue. (at)