Activities of Arba KOKALARI related to 2020/2112(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges
Amendments (72)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
— having regard to the Agreement adopted in Paris at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC of 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 19 a (new)
Citation 19 a (new)
— having regard to the Ilulissat Declaration between the five Arctic coastal states United States, Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark, which was announced on May 28, 2008, and reaffirmed in May 2018,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
— having regard to the establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region (CBSS) and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC),
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)
Citation 24 b (new)
— having regard to the report of the Arctic Stakeholder Forum consultation to identify key investment priorities in the Arctic and ways to better streamline future EU funding programmes for the region from 21 December 2017,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25
Citation 25
— having regard to the statements adopted at the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Bodø, Norway, in November 2019, in Brussels, in November 2017, in Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas since the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has been a zone of peace and international cooperation, and the goal of the international community should be to keep it as suchpeaceful region characterized by international cooperation between the eight Arctic states Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Canada and the United States of America; whereas the Arctic states and the international community should adhere to international law in order to keep it an area of low-tension;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU has been engaged in the Arctic since the early 1990’s, through its participation in the establishment of the Council of the Baltic Sea Region (CBSS), the Barents-Euro- Arctic Council (BEAC) and through its full membership in these bodies;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Arctic is home to over four million people, including more than 40 different indigenous ethnic groups and half a million EU citizens; whereas demography is important to regional development;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the future of the Arctic requires a broader understmulti-level governance, with the need to pursue regional cooperation and ing and actions reaching beyond the regional level owing to theternational solutions to the global challenges the Arctic regions are facing; whereas there is a direct link between the geopolitics and security of the Arctic and its environmental situation;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the effects of climate change are particularly visible in the Arctic, with the Arctic heating up two to three times faster than the global average, which has caused worrying changes in ice conditions, sea levels and air temperatures; whereas challenges to the Arctic are predominantly caused by global climate change and activities outside the Arctic region;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the effects of climate change in the Arctic and the re-emergence of geopolitical competition in the region may impact the region's economic development of the northern hemisphere;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the region’s geo-economic importance is quickly growing due to competition for itsits rich natural resources and the emerging new maritime routes that have emerged as a consequence of the reduced ice levels in the Arctic; whereas by current estimates, the Arctic could be ice free during summertime around the years 2030-2040; whereas the Arctic infrastructure is built on existing permafrost and not adapted to such long-term environmental changes;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the EU contributed over one billion euros to regional development and cross-border cooperation in the European Arctic;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas primary responsibility for the preservation and sustainable development of the Arctic lies with the Arctic states, but whereas significant impact of external factors cannot be denied and whereas the international community hence has an obligation to do all it can to protect the Arctic regions and ensure its stability and safety;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas cooperation in the field of scientific research is now, more than ever, crucial to overcoming the challenges brought about by pollution and climate change; whereas the EU has contributed over 200 million euro for Arctic research through the Horizon 2020 programme;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the comprehensive governance model of the Arctic has so far, with international law at its core, has proven to be effective and robust;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving it the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affecting the Arcticand its working groups are serving as an arena of positive and constructive international cooperation, with a flexibility to adapt to new challenges;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the Arctic Council has served as a basis for several binding agreements between the Arctic states, including the Agreement on Cooperation on Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue in the Arctic (2011), the Agreement on Cooperation on Marine Oil Pollution Preparedness and Response in the Arctic (2013) and the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation (2017);
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas, the essential role of international law, in particular the UNCLOS and the conventions of the IMO, should be reaffirmed and reinforced international law is the basis of international engagement and cooperation in the Arctic; whereas the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the International Maritime Organization (IMO) was established in March 1948; whereas the IMO sets global regulatory standards for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the EU’s engagement with the Arctic is based on history, geography, economy and research, and; whereas three EU Member States - Denmark, Sweden and Finland - are Arctic states; whereas the EU has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a peaceful, environmentally clean and, cooperative and prosperous Arctic;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas Russian obstruction has since 2014 denied the EU formathe EU has a pending application to become a full observer of the Arctic Council, which the Arctic Council members acknowledged receipt of in 2013; whereas the European Parliament has previously supported the EU's application to become a full observer status tof the Arctic Council;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas in the past the Arctic region has been relatively unaffected by global geopolitical conflicts; whereas the geopolitical interest in the Arctic by Arctic and non-Arctic actors is increasing, creating a new military dynamic in the Arctic region;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the military importance of the Arctic is rapidly increasing due to the progressive and steady re-militarisation of the Russian Federation, significantly increasing the likelihood of military confrontation in the regionRussian Federation has established new military bases and modernized old military bases in the northern regions; whereas Russia has upgraded its Northern Fleet to the status of a military district, scaled up different branches of its armed forces and revived the bastion defence concept aimed at protecting Russia’s strategic capabilities;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Recital N a (new)
Na. whereas the Arctic region has a vast reserve of rare earth minerals; whereas 90% of global rare earth production currently stems from China;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N b (new)
Recital N b (new)
Nb. whereas the EU and United Kingdom in 2019 imported one-fourth of Arctic states energy exports, including 87% of LNG from the Russian Arctic;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N c (new)
Recital N c (new)
Nc. whereas the EU and United Kingdom in 2018 imported 69% of gold, 51% of nickel, 48% of titanium, 46% of cobalt, 93% of vanadium and 35% of iron from the Arctic states;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N d (new)
Recital N d (new)
Nd. whereas the EU in 2019/2020 imported 62% of Norwegian, 27% of Faroese, 53% of Icelandic and 63% of Greenlandic fish exports;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N e (new)
Recital N e (new)
Ne. whereas the EU Arctic Forum in Umeå, Sweden, in 2019 was a joint undertaking in strengthening cooperation between the EU and a broad range of Arctic stakeholders;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. ConsiderReconfirms that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and aims to maintain theis of strategic and political importance to the EU and underlines the EU’s commitment to be a responsible actor, seeking the long-term sustainable and peaceful development of the region by fully cooperating with international partners; considers it crucial to maintain international cooperation and low tension in the Arctic region, as a zone of peace and international cooperatwell as to respond to the various effects and consequences of climate change in the region;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes, however, that interest in the Arctic and its resources is growing because of the negative effects of climate change and resource scarcity, creating new opportunities for economic development but also increasing the risk of confrontation;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; reiterates that international law is the cornerstone of the legal framework regulating inter-state relations in the Arctic and underlines the importance of the UNCLOSPart XV UNCLOS with regard to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes and the different dispute resolution procedures stipulated therein;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the Arctic states hold the primary responsibility for tackling issues within their territories; points, however, also to the fact that external forces have a key impact on current and future challenges of the region; reiterates that international law is the cornerstone of the legal framework regulating inter-state relations in the Arctic and underlines the importance of the UNCLOS;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Further emphasizes that the comprehensive governance model based on international law has benefited all Arctic states and the region as a whole, and has provided predictability and stability in the region; underlines that the existing regional structures foster trust and cooperation between Arctic states;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights that the prospect of Arcticmilitary activity in the Arctic needs to be predictable and that increased militariszation, carries substantial security risks in and beyond ombined with worsened geopolitical relations globally, can lead to incidents and increased security risks; underlines the importance of preventing spill-over effects in the Arctic from geopolitical developments in other regions; notes that the Arctic plays a crucial role infor the wider security of Europe as wholend its strategic context;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Urges the Russian Federation to enact its Arctic policies in full respect of international law and to be mindful of the consequences of its actions; is therefore worried byexpresses its concerns about the military build-up pursued by Russia, which has been the most extensive among the Arctic states, including the development of anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) capabilities, and notes the Arctic’s prominent place in the military strategy of the Russian Federation;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that the inclusion of the Arctic by China in its economic development programmes, with the aspiration to integrate the Arctic’s nNorthern sSea rRoute into its Belt and Road Initiative (as a ‘Polar Silk Road’), as well as the Arctic’s prominent place in the military strategy of the Russian Federation, are cause for concern and challenge any idea that the Arctic could be dealt with as a self-contained region) needs to be closely observed by the EU; notes Chinese investments in research and strategic infrastructure projects in the Arctic and recalls that the EU should prevent losing important ground to third countries in this field;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the importance of the UNCLOS as the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out, including in the Arctic, as well as the international bodies established under the UNCLOS, including the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS); underlines the EU’s role in promoting international law, international ocean governance and a rules-based order;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the adoption of IMO’s Polar Code and; calls for an assessment of itsthe implementation of the Polar Code, as well as of that of the standards and obligations under the SOLAS and MARPOL conventions;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that it is crucial that the right of innocent passage of foreign ships through territorial seas bforeign ships' rights under the UNCLOS, in particular Articles 17-21 and 37-41, including the right of innocent passage, the right of transit passage and the pfreserved and regrets all efforts made by the Russian Federation aimed at closing its navigable Arctic redom of navigation, are fully respected in the Arctic; regrets Russia's actions that restrict navigation rights in the Northern Sea Routes;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Highlights that the EU can contribute its expertise in the area of maritime security and safety, with capabilities and awareness of shipping and navigation; acknowledges that there is already significant cross-border cooperation on search and rescue operations; encourages the EU to enhance its contributions to emergency prevention, preparedness and disaster response, within the Arctic Council, the Arctic Coast Guard Forum and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines the need for enhancing maritime surveillance and information sharing in the Arctic region; supports further investments in space monitoring and navigation, through the Copernicus and Galileo satellite networks, as well as in-situ information from the Environment Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) in order to improve emergency response, safe navigation and knowledge of climate change;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Stresses the strategic importance of the submarine cables of telecommunications in the North Atlantic that provide over 95% of international telecommunications; reiterates the importance of strengthened transatlantic cooperation in protecting and ensuring the respect of the international instruments that govern submarine cables, including UNCLOS;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Challenges and long-term consequences due to changing climate conditions
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. Underlines the significant changes to the climate and environment of the Arctic region; urges the EU to address global emission mitigation globally and through the Green Deal, as well as by supporting local innovative initiatives relevant to the Arctic;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9e. Supports international cooperation efforts on research in the Arctic, such as the conclusion and implementation of the Agreement on Enhancing International Arctic Scientific Cooperation; highlights important contributions from the EU and its Member States in Polar science, which will be necessary to understand the global and local effects of climate change; highlights the EU’s contributions to Arctic research through the Horizon 2020 programme;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 f (new)
Paragraph 9 f (new)
9f. Welcomes strengthened international cooperation in the area of science, knowledge and innovation with an Arctic dimension and the active EU participation in the cooperation between Arctic ministers of science;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Underlines that the European Arctic plays an important role for the EU raw material supply, with essential resources, technology and know-how needed to achieve a green transition; notes that most of the EU critical raw materials are located in the Arctic, which, if managed in a proper and sustainable way, could strengthen the EU's strategic independence;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Welcomes initiatives in the European Arctic on sustainable mining and reducing carbon dioxide emissions through the world’s first fossil free iron production, the HYBRIT project, taking into account an increasing demand for steel and the needs of an increasingly electrifying society;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Highlights the importance of trade and investments in digital infrastructure, innovation and economic development in the Arctic with closer cooperation between government, academia and business; calls on the EU to reduce technical barriers of trade, strengthen its cooperation with business representatives, and encourages further support to the Arctic Economic Council (AEC);
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. NotWelcomes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF aAgreement, which represwill implements an ambitious and innovative step towards tackle the problems of the Arctic precautionary approach to fisheries management in the high seas portion of the Central Arctic Ocean, and calls for its swift entry into force;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of taking a precautionary approach to Arctic fisheries, at all stages, and encourages the adoption of a suststresses the importance of fisheries management measures based on the best avainlable, science-based approach; is concerned by the inability oftific advice to ensure long-term sustainability; notes that the Arctic coastal states tohave agreed on how to divide quotas on transboundary fish stocks and expresses its support for existing regional fisheries management organisations; a framework for managing activities in the Arctic, including committing to settle overlapping claims to maritime areas; expresses its support for existing regional fisheries management organisations and global agreements relating to fisheries, shipping and the marine environment; stresses that the EU should be involved in stock management in accordance with the UNCLOS;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned by the persistent intention of the Russian Federation and China to pursue far-reaching and highly impactful exploitation projects without appropriate assessment of their environmental impacts; underlines the importance of abiding to regulatory standards;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Reiterates its call to actively involve all the inhabitants of the Arctic, who hold local and practical knowledge, and particularly indigenous peoples, in decision-making processes concerning development choices;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Acknowledges that there is under- investment in the Arctic region; believes that the EU can contribute to the economic, social and sustainable development to the benefit of the Arctic communities, in particular in energy, transport and infrastructure; considers that the Arctic regions are home to innovative industries essential to a sustainable development; notes the potentials in the on-going process of establishing an Arctic Investment Platform in collaboration with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and European Investment Fund;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. States that the exploitation of the Arctic’smanagement and sustainable use of Arctic natural resources should benefit local inhabitants; advocates, in this regard, for a stronger link between businesses operating in the Arctic and local communities; recalls the existing international instruments that establish states' jurisdictions, rights and obligations for the management and sustainable use of natural resources and insists that these instruments continue to be fully respected;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recognises the validity ofSupports the three founding pillars of the integrated EU policy for the Arctic, namely climate change, sustainable development and international cooperation and stresses the importance of a balanced EU Arctic policy;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Highlights that the Northern Dimension serves as a constructive arena for cross-border cooperation, with a successful model for sectorial cooperation, where the EU contributes equally to the joint policy with Russia, Norway and Iceland as well as other observers; welcomes further practical cooperation on a broad range of areas;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Calls on the EU to continue to contribute to the Arctic Council with expertise and financing by increasing its engagement in the Arctic Council working groups and its various projects;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
17c. Highlights the cooperation between local and national state and non- state actors within the Barents Euro- Arctic Council (BEAC), where the EU is a full member, on issues with particular relevance to the Barents region;
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17d. Believes that the Northern region should be viewed as part of the EU’s northern neighbourhood, with increased participation in existing fora;
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 e (new)
Paragraph 17 e (new)
17e. Is committed to a strong and active parliamentary cooperation in the North, such as through the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region and the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 f (new)
Paragraph 17 f (new)
17f. Welcomes the creation of an EU Ambassador at large for the Arctic/Special Envoy for Arctic matters in 2017; supports the continuation of the mandate of the EU Special Envoy for the Arctic and commends the work carried out by the EU Special Envoy for the Arctic, Michael Mann, in this mandate;
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 g (new)
Paragraph 17 g (new)
17g. Underlines that there is a need for greater coherence between the EU’s internal and external policies towards the Arctic; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to improve inter-service cooperation and coherence between different programmes and investments in the Arctic; further calls on all Commission DGs to integrate Arctic considerations into relevant legislation and policies;
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflectith accelerating challenges and increased international attention; believes that the updated EU Arctic policy should reflect these developments, including new security realities; is of the opinion that the EU should engage with local actors and stakeholders which haveith a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on the Council to create a Working party on Northern Europe and the Arctic;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Regrets Russia’s veto of EU observer status in the Arctic Council; supports the EU’s continued de facto membership ofSupports the EU’s application to become a full observer in the Arctic Council and encourages the members of the Arctic Council to positively respond to the EU’s request; underlines, however, that the EU is a de facto observer of the Arctic Council, working groupith the possibility to participate and contribute on equal terms as other observer members;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the need for the EU and its Member States to maintain constructive relations with Arctic states and underlines the need for the EU to keep engaging with the indigenous peoples of the Arctic; invites the EU and its Member States to cooperate more closely on Arctic issues in regional and international fora;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that issues of security in the Arctic should also be part of consultations and cooperation with NATO, which can use the framework of the NATO-Russia Council to resolve misunderstandings, de-escalate tensions and prevent crises; believes that prior notification on military exercises in the Arctic region could increase transparency on military activities in the region;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for the Arctic to be included as one of the objectivein the discussions of the EU’s Strategic Compass, similarly to the NATO Reflection Process;