Activities of Andreas SCHIEDER related to 2020/2112(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
The Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the Arctic: opportunities, concerns and security challenges
Amendments (41)
Amendment 13 #
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 Reykjavik, Iceland, in May 2015, in Archangelsk, Russia, in November 2013, in Tromsø, Norway, in February 2011 and in Brussels in September 2009,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
— having regard to the statement from the 14th Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region 13- 14 April 2021,
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 b (new)
Citation 25 b (new)
— having regard to the 2019 strategic note of the European Political Strategy Centre on a balanced Arctic Strategy for the EU,
Amendment 30 #
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 andpeaceful area of international cooperation, and the goal of the international community should be to keep it as such;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Denmark, Finland and Sweden are Arctic countries; whereas the EU’s only indigenous people, the Sami people, live in the Arctic regions of Finland and Sweden, as well as Norway and Russia;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the future of the Arctic requires a broader understanding and actions reaching beyond the regional level owing to the direct link between the geopolitics and security of the Arctic and its environmental situation; whereas the region’s geopolitical importance is growing;
Amendment 51 #
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 economic and security development of the northern hemisphereregion;
Amendment 61 #
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;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the natural resources of the Arctic region largely are within the national jurisdiction of the Arctic states and the ownership of these resources is undisputed;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas the need to develop and find sustainable solutions for energy- production and transportation has increased the global demand for rare- earth elements, which has turned the focus into the Arctic's largely unexploited natural resources;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the remit of the Arctic Council is limited, giving ibut the flexibility to adapt to new challenges but also making it less able to respond to all the issues affectinghas been vital in securing a peaceful and constructive cooperation between the Arctic states, and served as a basis for several binding agreements between the Arctic States;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the Arctic coastal states have confirmed in 2008 and 2018, in the Ilulissat declaration, that they will follow international law, most notably the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in governing the Arctic Ocean;
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas there has been a longstanding engagement of the EU in the Arctic through its involvement in the Northern Dimension Policy with Russia, Norway and Iceland, in the Barents cooperation and particularly in the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and the Barents Regional Council, in the strategic partnerships with Canada, the US and Russia, as well as through its participation as an active de facto observer in the Arctic Council in recent years;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas Russian obstruction has since 2014 denied the EU formal observer status to the Arctic Councilthe EU has been denied formal observer status to the Arctic Council, due to the Russian veto since 2014 and before that due to the Canadian veto;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Italy – observers to the Arctic Council – show a substantial involvement in the Arctic and strong interest in future dialogue and cooperation with the Arctic Council; whereas Estonia has applied to become an observer to the Arctic Council;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas Iceland and Norway, as engaged and reliable partners, are associated with the EU through the EEA and the Schengen Agreements;
Amendment 123 #
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 increasavoiding any spill-over effect to the Arctic from geopolitical tensions and conflicts in other regions is important, notes that the security importance and military presence ing the likelihood of military confrontation in the regionArctic is rapidly increasing;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Considers that the Arctic plays a crucial role in keeping the environmental balance of the planet and aims to maintain the region as a zonen area of peace andful international cooperation;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recognises the importance of the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region and the Northern Dimension Parliamentary Forum, and is committed to a strong and active participation in the parliamentary cooperation in the North;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that due to the multitude of complex and intertwined issues concerning economic, environmental and security development of the Arctic, the region’s security needs global, regional and local stages for dialogue, and should be explored without prejudice;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Welcomes that the stability of the Arctic has long remained relatively unaffected by conflicts in other areas of the world; considers it important to ensure that any military activity in the Arctic is carried out in a way that promotes security and stability in the region; calls on the Arctic States to reduce any tensions by ensuring predictability and transparency with regard to such activity;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that cooperation with Russia in the Arctic should be consistent with the principle of selective engagement and should not jeopardise the goals of sanctions against Russian actions elsewhere; notes that the Arctic Council should be seen as a platform to maintain and continue open dialogue with Russia on matters of importance also for the EU;
Amendment 212 #
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 northern sea route 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-containedin order to maintain the Arctic as a peaceful and stable region;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is of the opinion that the Arctic should play a central role in the European Raw Materials Alliance, boosting Europe’s output of critical minerals and, cutting dependence on China for rare earth metals and developing opportunities for green economic growth;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Underlines that the sustainable and strategic use of Arctic natural resources should be accompanied by the development of a key northern transport passage that contributes to greener transition; notes that specifically new Northern rail links would stimulate the economies of the Northern and Baltic States and improve market access in the North-South dimension; calls therefore on the Commission to address Northern transport issues and identify opportunities in the context of the Northern Dimension Partnership for Transport and Logistics (NDPTL); underlines that better links are needed within the Northern Dimension (ND) region to reduce remoteness and ensure connectivity in response to the global development;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Calls for an increase in the accessibility of digital infrastructure in the Arctic, thereby promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and diversify economic development and underscores the importance of promoting the use of renewable energy in remote Arctic communities and encourages further work on innovative energy solutions and related capacity construction in the Arctic aimed at climate change prevention taking into account the needs of an increasingly electrifying society;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Notes the role of the private sector in developing sustainable solutions for the Arctic; calls on the Commission to support European companies’ investments in key sectors like renewable energy production, logistics and the development of the power grid; investment opportunities under the EU’s investment and funding instruments should be identified in order to facilitate European companies access to the Arctic market;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 d (new)
Paragraph 11 d (new)
11d. Underlines the importance of Arctic research in the fields pertaining to sustainable development. Underlines the important contributions from EU and its Member States in Polar science and the importance of knowledge as fundamental for political decisions and sustainable development in the Arctic. Notes that the EU has been a major financier of Arctic research through programmes like Horizon 2020; stresses the need to increase the EU Arctic R&D funding;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Notes the signing and entry into force of the CAOF agreement, which represents an ambitious and innovative step towards tackle the problems ofhieving sustainable development in the Arctic;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Underlines the importance of taking precautionary approach to Arctic fisheries, at all stages, and encourages the adoption of a sustainable, science-based approach; is concerned by the inability of Arctic coastal states to agree on how to divide quotas on transboundary fish stocks and and expresses its support for existing regional fisheries management organisations;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is concerned by the persistent but different intentions of the Russian Federation and China to pursue far- reaching and highly impactful exploitation projects without appropriate assessment of their environmental impacts;
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. States that the exploitation of the Arctic’s resources should benefit local inhabitants; advocates, in this regard, for a stronger link between businesses operating in the Arctic and local communities to create economic and research opportunities, jobs and sustainable development of resources and supports the implementation of standards such as the Arctic Investment Protocol and the UN Global Compact Initiative;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls for a strengthening of the funding of programs such as “north2north” and other mobility programs especially directed at young people living in the Arctic;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes with grave concern that the accelerating impacts of global climate change are particularly pronounced in the Arctic, that the region is warming at a rate three times of the global average and that dramatic changes in ice conditions, sea levels and air temperatures are taking place, which are caused by global climate change, predominantly due to activities outside the Arctic, resulting in rapid social, environmental, and economic impacts, that effects not only the region but is felt worldwide. Underlines that the people of the Arctic are dramatically experiencing the effects of climate change, and need support and resources to adapt to these profound changes;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Urges the EU to take a leading role in the work to forge an ambitious climate action plan for the Arctic, addressing global emission mitigation of greenhouse gases and adaption to climate change while supporting innovative solutions relevant to the Arctic;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the updating of the EU’s Arctic policy, which should also reflect new security realities; is of the opinion that the EU should engage with stakeholders which have a vested interest in promoting regional stability and prosperity; Notes that the EU should also aim to participate in other political forums linked to Arctic development;
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Is of the opinion that the role of the Parliament should be strengthened in the EU’s Arctic policy formulation, by organising debates on Arctic Policy in the plenary and through the establishment of a specifically designated Inter- parliamentary Delegation, with special responsibility for the Arctic cooperation;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Stresses the need for the EU to engage with all Arctic partners in policy dialogue, and calls for intensified cooperation between the EU, the Arctic Council in the framework of the Northern Dimension, the Barents Euro-Arctic Council and other bodies involved in cooperation in the High North; underlines the important role of observers in the Arctic Council with great experience and long-time engagement in scientific and political cooperation in the Arctic; welcomes, in this regard, the ongoing dialogue between the observers and the Arctic Council Presidency;
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20c. Notes that the Barents Euro-Arctic Council has played an important role in building trust and mutual understanding in the North while enhancing cooperation between the Arctic countries; acknowledges that the Northern Dimension policy with its partnerships and the Barents Euro-Arctic Council with its activities can support the implementation of the goals of EU´s enhanced Arctic strategy and vice versa;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls for the aims of the new Arctic Strategy to be reflected in the EU’s programmes, projects, finances and relevant legislation, as well as in the work of the relevant EU agencies; Stresses that Arctic development should also regularly be addressed at the Political and Security Committee and during Council meetings;
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Urges the Commission to establish a specific working group covering Northern Europe and the Arctic in a comprehensive manner; notes that the EU’s internal coordination on Arctic matters should be strengthened both in the Commission working group level and between the relevant EU agencies; encourages the Commission to entrust a coordinating role for Arctic policies to one Commissioner to avoid duplication of competences;