LEGITIMATE EU ON THE ARCTIC STAGE? POLICY AND INTERESTS

Abstract

The European Union’s interests in the Arctic are beyond doubt as the region’s relevance has been recently increasing in all spheres —political, economic, geostrategic, and scientific— due to the processes of climate change and globalization. In addition, the Arctic is a close neighboring area of the Union where preservation of peaceful relations is much desired. Likewise, the newly emerging opportunities and challenges in the region require a much wider international cooperation that goes beyond the interaction of the traditional Arctic stakeholders. The understanding of this fact has urged the EU —along with many other international state and non-state actors— to express both concerns over the future governance of this polar region and renewed determination to cooperate on bi- and multilateral level with the main stakeholders to achieve its sustainable development and preservation. Given the alleged interests and ambitions to strengthen its legitimacy in the zone, the Union will continue to rely on soft power and diplomacy mechanisms for its Arctic engagement as well as solid investment activities in areas related to fight against climate change and environmental protection, sustainable development, science and innovation, indigenous peoples’ rights, and commerce. All these aspects are included in the long-awaited new communication on the EU’s “integrated Arctic Policy,” issued on 27 April 2016 by the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Those who were expecting this document to be clearer and less misleading than previous ones and to point out decisive and concrete actions, might have been quite disappointed. Nevertheless, this does not mean there have been made no advances at all.