REPORT (2025/2116(INI))
On a European Parliament recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s diplomatic strategy and geopolitical cooperation in the Arctic
A-10-2025-0229
Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Urmas Paet
- Voted on · Adopted 510–75–80 · See the decision →
- Full procedure 2025/2116
✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026
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Parliament recommends that the Council, Commission and High Representative adopt a security-oriented EU Arctic strategy, addressing militarisation, hybrid threats, infrastructure protection, Indigenous rights and deeper cooperation with Arctic partners.¶¶¶
Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs recommends that Parliament adopt a resolution calling for a comprehensive, security-oriented EU Arctic strategy, as detailed in the recommendation.¶
Key points
- Condemns growing Arctic militarisation, particularly Russia's, and calls for monitoring China's activities under the Polar Silk Road.¶¶
- Calls for full implementation of sanctions on dual-use technologies for Russia's Arctic military, stronger sanctions on shadow fleet vessels, and support for Ukraine's Arctic engagement.¶
- Urges strengthened EU-NATO cooperation on Arctic security, including joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and protection of critical infrastructure.¶¶
- Calls for protection of underwater infrastructure, common cybersecurity standards, and a strategy to counter Sino-Russian cooperation in the High North.¶¶
- Supports diplomatic efforts to uphold freedom of navigation under UNCLOS, condemning Russia's restrictions on the Northern Sea Route.¶
- Urges enhanced climate adaptation and research investments, respecting the 'do no significant harm' principle.¶
- Promotes sustainable resource partnerships with Greenland and others, reducing EU dependence on China, and supports a binding environmental liability regime.¶¶
- Calls for integrating Indigenous knowledge, protecting their rights, and prioritising mental health, literacy and youth programmes.¶¶¶
- Supports full implementation of the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement and infrastructure development in the European Arctic.¶¶¶
- Welcomes Iceland's planned EU accession referendum and Norway's security partnership, and supports deeper EU ties with Greenland.¶¶¶
- Calls for strengthened cooperation with Canada and the US, and for reinforcing the Arctic Council and EU observer status.¶¶¶
- Calls for increased funding, a stronger Special Envoy mandate, a dedicated EEAS Arctic unit, and an EU office in the Faroe Islands.¶¶¶
Who is affected
- Russia and China: face condemnation and monitoring of their Arctic activities, with sanctions and security measures.¶¶¶
- Indigenous peoples: their rights and knowledge are to be integrated into EU policies and protected.¶¶¶
- Iceland, Norway, Greenland: receive support for deeper EU integration and cooperation.¶¶¶
- Canada and the US: are called upon for enhanced Arctic cooperation with the EU.¶¶¶